Abstract

In sports the use of androgenic-anabolic steroids (AAS) still increases. AAS are synthetic drugs derived from the male sex hormone testosterone. All AAS have androgenic as well as anabolic effects. In athletes AAS may increase body weight, lean body mass, muscle mass and circumferences, while fat mass remains unaffected. In addition, they may enhance recovery time, muscle strength and motivation, while aerobic capacity and speed may be unchanged. These effects may persist some time after drug withdrawal. Unwanted side effects include decreased liver function, disturbance of sex hormone levels and reproductive function, as well as deleterious effects on cardiovascular risk factors and psyche. Mostly these effects normalize within weeks or months after drug cessation. It is unknown whether AAS affect organs permanently. Verf.-Referat