The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Male Strength Athletes Who Use Non-prescribed Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids

• DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.636706
• Publication Date: 2021-03-22T05:24:20Z
• Authors: Barnaby N. Zoob C...; Ian D. Boardley; Katinka van de Ven
• Keywords: Pandemic

Background: One sub-population potentially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic are strength athletes who use anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS). We examined links between disruption in AAS and training due to mental health outcomes this population, hypothesising: (a) would be linked with reduced use; (b) perceiving greater impact on their report increases detrimental outcomes. Methods: Male using ( N = 237) from 42 countries completed an online questionnaire May 2020. A sub-sample 90) 20 participated again 4 months later. The assessed pre-pandemic current training, alongside several Results: At Time 1, most participants perceived of (91.1%) and/or (57.8%). Dependent t -tests demonstrated significant reductions frequency 7.78; p < 0.001) dose 6.44; compared pre-pandemic. Linear regression showed was a positive predictor excessive body checking B 0.35) mood swings 0.26), anxiety 0.67), insomnia 0.52), 0.37). 2, fewer (29.9%) (66.7%) than at 1. Training 3.02; 0.01) 2.11; 0.05) were depressed comparison However, had increased 1 0.05). training/AAS did not significantly predict any mental-health negative depressive thoughts −0.83) −2.65). Conclusion: Our findings use, reflected dose. whilst we detected some short-term consequential effects health, these appear long-lasting.