Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Ph.D Student of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Tehran, International Campus-Kish Island, Kish, Iran
2 Professor of Exercise Physiology, Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran,Iran
3 Associate Professor, Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
4 Professor of Exercise Physiology, Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran
Abstract
Background and Aim: There are many studies about the acute effects of anabolic androgenic steroids on the
cardiovascular system, however, there is little information on its prolonged effects. The purpose of this study was to
evaluate the long-term effects of anabolic - androgenic steroids on cardiovascular indices in the former bodybuilders.
Materials and Methods: Twenty-three male people were divided into 3 groups: former bodybuilders (n=8), young
current anabolic anderogenic steroid (AAS) users bodybuilders (n=8) and control (n=7) groups. Body composition,
hemodynamic cardiovascular stress responses such as systolic and diastolic blood pressure, double product, mean
arterial pressure and heart rate was evaluated prior and after an exhaustive test on a treadmill. Results: The one way
ANOVA showed no significantly changes between former bodybuilders and control groups before and after exercise
(p>0.05). But heart rate (p=0.001), diastolic blood pressure (formers-young, p=0.002 and young-control, p=0.01) and
double product (young-control, p=0.05 and formers-young, p=0.04) were significantly higher in young current users
group as compare to other groups. Conclusion: The results of this study confirmed the reversibility of cardiovascular
hemodynamic performance after discontinuation of long-term of using of anabolic androgenic steroids, although more
study is needed to confirm these findings.
Keywords
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