[Epidemiology of doping in rural gyms in the district of Traunstein].

Aim and Method: To investigate epidemiology of doping in rural gyms, a total of 206 persons doing exercise in 5 different gyms in the district of Traunstein were interviewed.
Results and Conclusion: Nearly 5.0% of the surveyed persons take performance-enhancing drugs, mostly for aesthetic reasons or to rapidly build up strength. There are no gender or education-specific, yet agerelated significant differences in using doping substances. Significant factors influencing the intake of doping agents are the motivation for competition participation, the additional intake of protein supplements and nutritional supplements. 61.5% of the drug-abusers take anabolic steroids (testosterone). One athlete consumes growth hormones. 40.0% of drug-abusers administer medication in the form of an injection, 60.0% in the form of tabs. Costs per intake cycle are between 100 and 150 <euro>. The average body weight gain through the muscle mass increase is approximately 15 kg. Suppliers were friends (36.3%), the Internet (27.3%) and physicians (18.2%). The potential side effects are important cornerstones for the educational work in the prevention of doping.