Anabolic Steroid Blog. InfoFitness.Net

People who take anabolic steroid follow a pattern of usage, commonly referred to as anabolic steroid cycles. The objective of following such routine is usually two fold. One, users opt to take the drug in sporadic pre-determined intervals so as to minimize side effects. Secondly, the dosage is so designed as to accelerate the chance of meeting the end result sooner than otherwise.

Terms like ‘cycling’, ’stacking’ and ‘pyramiding’ refer to common techniques used as part of anabolic steroid cycles. They are briefly explained below:

Cycling
Cycling is the pattern of usage in which multiple doses of a particular drug are scheduled over a specific period of time, stopping thereafter for some time and then resuming the same routine again.

Stacking
Stacking is similar to cycling but differs from it in the sense that while cycling involves one type of drug, stacking usually involves two or more different anabolic steroids, mixing oral and/or injectable types, and sometimes even including compounds that are meant for veterinary use. Stacking is resorted to in the belief that two or more steroids will produce more pronounced effect than each drug taken individually. This theory has not however been tested scientifically.

Pyramiding
In this case, user will start at a low base, slowly escalating the dosage with time by either increasing the number and frequency of a single drug or doing so with multiple drugs till the pinnacle is reached half way, whereupon the dosage is progressively reduced to ultimately bring it to zero. As can be seen, pyramiding is an offshoot of either cycling or stacking though the usage pattern differs from both. Users typically pyramid their doses in cycles of 6 to 12 weeks.

Steroid users, even as they attempt to enhance performance or boost muscle size, are aware of its dangers. And so, they prefer anabolic steroid cycles spaced out and planned in such a way that danger to overall health can be minimized. In addition, they do increasing cardiovascular exercise or go for post-cycle therapy (PCT) to combat side effects.

Androgenic-anabolic steroids (AAS) are synthetic derivatives of the male hormone testosterone. They can exert strong effects on the human body that may be beneficial for athletic performance. A review of the literature revealed that most laboratory studies did not investigate the actual doses of AAS currently abused in the field. Therefore, those studies may not reflect the actual (adverse) effects of steroids. The available scientific literature describes that short-term administration of these drugs by athletes can increase strength and bodyweight. Strength gains of about 5-20% of the initial strength and increments of 2-5 kg bodyweight, that may be attributed to an increase of the lean body mass, have been observed. A reduction of fat mass does not seem to occur. Although AAS administration may affect erythropoiesis and blood haemoglobin concentrations, no effect on endurance performance was observed. Little data about the effects of AAS on metabolic responses during exercise training and recovery are available and, therefore, do not allow firm conclusions. The main untoward effects of short- and long-term AAS abuse that male athletes most often self-report are an increase in sexual drive, the occurrence of acne vulgaris, increased body hair and increment of aggressive behaviour. AAS administration will disturb the regular endogenous production of testosterone and gonadotrophins that may persist for months after drug withdrawal. Cardiovascular risk factors may undergo deleterious alterations, including elevation of blood pressure and depression of serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-, HDL2- and HDL3-cholesterol levels. In echocardiographic studies in male athletes, AAS did not seem to affect cardiac structure and function, although in animal studies these drugs have been observed to exert hazardous effects on heart structure and function. In studies of athletes, AAS were not found to damage the liver. Psyche and behaviour seem to be strongly affected by AAS. Generally, AAS seem to induce increments of aggression and hostility. Mood disturbances (e.g. depression, [hypo-]mania, psychotic features) are likely to be dose and drug dependent. AAS dependence or withdrawal effects (such as depression) seem to occur only in a small number of AAS users. Dissatisfaction with the body and low self-esteem may lead to the so-called ‘reverse anorexia syndrome’ that predisposes to the start of AAS use. Many other adverse effects have been associated with AAS misuse, including disturbance of endocrine and immune function, alterations of sebaceous system and skin, changes of haemostatic system and urogenital tract. One has to keep in mind that the scientific data may underestimate the actual untoward effects because of the relatively low doses administered in those studies, since they do not approximate doses used by illicit steroid users. The mechanism of action of AAS may differ between compounds because of variations in the steroid molecule and affinity to androgen receptors. Several pathways of action have been recognised. The enzyme 5-alpha-reductase seems to play an important role by converting AAS into dihydrotestosterone (androstanolone) that acts in the cell nucleus of target organs, such as male accessory glands, skin and prostate. Other mechanisms comprises mediation by the enzyme aromatase that converts AAS in female sex hormones (estradiol and estrone), antagonistic action to estrogens and a competitive antagonism to the glucocorticoid receptors. Furthermore, AAS stimulate erythropoietin synthesis and red cell production as well as bone formation but counteract bone breakdown. The effects on the cardiovascular system are proposed to be mediated by the occurrence of AAS-induced atherosclerosis (due to unfavourable influence on serum lipids and lipoproteins), thrombosis, vasospasm or direct injury to vessel walls, or may be ascribed to a combination of the different mechanisms. AAS-induced increment of muscle tissue can be attributed to hypertrophy and the formation of new muscle fibres, in which key roles are played by satellite cell number and ultrastructure, androgen receptors and myonuclei. Copyright 2004 Adis Data Information BV

Drop and give me 20 … dad! A new board game gets families off the couch and brings fitness and health back into the living room

After more than 10 years in the health and fitness industry, as an AFAA certified personal trainer, group-exercise instructor and fitness director, I stumbled across a new concept in the ever-growing quest to change lives through exercise. “No Sweat … Go for Gold” is a board game in which you exercise as you play. Don’t let the name fool you; after more than 60 push-ups, 28 leg-lifts and 45 crunches I was sweating!

An entrepreneur in Sacramento, California, developed “No Sweat” to bring exercise and fitness education to families. After almost 20 years of mulling over the idea, perfecting the game board, patenting it and establishing the company name, Fun & Fitness LLC, Dan Thompson created a unique and fun way to help families get fit.

How to Play

The objective of the game, secondary to getting fit and having fun, is to earn enough money by exercising and moving along the game board to enter the track-and-field competition at the center of the board.

The game is initiated when players earn $50 by completing their warm-up stretches. Players must raise money for hotel accommodations, airfare and sporting goods.

The first three players to finish win gold, silver and bronze medals. The medals, exercise descriptions, game bucks and rules come nicely packaged in the “No Sweat” game box.

The game includes “calorie cards” showing pictures and indicating calorie counts for different foods. There are also “exercise cards” picturing 18 different exercises.

At the start of the game, players individually select their level of play. Beginners perform the number of repetitions shown on the red exercise die, intermediate players perform double the number and advanced players triple the number.

Young children or those new to exercise should definitely stick to the beginner level.

The underlying success of “No Sweat” is that the whole family can play and it is adaptable to different fitness levels. It is fun to see how children and adults alike can progress while playing the game.

All the Sacramento families who originally tested the game absolutely loved it.

The bottom line is that playing “No Sweat” gets families off the couch and, more importantly, moving.

A Motivational Tool

How does this new board game affect exercise professionals? First of all, we now have a brand new tool to motivate people to get active. A board game is a creative, unconventional method to entice people of all ages to exercise.

Clients can bring it home to their families and soon enough video games and Internet chat won’t be as much fun as making mom and dad do push-ups (the player to the left chooses your exercise, so oftentimes a child selects exercise for a parent and vice versa).

Your pre-teen and teenage clientele now have a new game to play with siblings and friends.

Exercise professionals have been trying to encourage people to take exercise out of the gym and into their everyday lives for years.

We all know it is not enough to meet with a trainer one to three times a week, if healthy eating habits and daily recreation are not incorporated. Playing “No Sweat” can encourage families to do just that.

Spread the Joy

The President’s Council for Physical Fitness supports the game, school districts and the United States military have purchased the game and home school networks have incorporated it into their physical education programs As trainers, group-exercise instructors, fitness directors and club managers, here are several ways you can participate in the evolution and spread of this game:

* Introduce the game at a staff meeting or event.

* Keep the game in the lobby of your health club, YMCA or community center.

* Utilize the calorie and exercise cards to teach children about the variety of foods and exercises available.

* Play the game in teams as an alternative group-class.

* Use the game as an incentive prize for members or employees.

* Give the game as corporate gifts.

* Design a specialty class around the “No Sweat” theme to introduce it to members.

* Give it as a gift to members who purchase 20 personal training sessions.

* Fun & Fitness encourages you to get creative in introducing this game to your clients, members, families and friends.

For additional information or to order the game, visit www.playnosweat.com.

Heidi Bressler, AFAA certified personal trainer and primary exercise instructor, is Fun & Fitness’ spokesperson for “No Sweat.” She hosts the television show Healthy Mind, Healthy Body and holds a degree in nutritional science from California Polytechnic State University. Contact her at aphraheidi@yahoo.com.

COPYRIGHT 2005 Aerobics and Fitness Association of America
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group

Anabolic Steroids and the Female Reproductive System

In the normal female body small amounts of testosterone are produced, and as in males, artificially increasing levels by administration of AS will affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. An increase in circulating androgens will inhibit the production and release of LH and FSH, resulting in a decline in serum levels of LH, FSH, estrogens and progesterone. This may result in inhibition of follicle formation, ovulation, and irregularities of the menstrual cycle. The irregularities of the menstrual cycle are characterized by a prolongation of the follicular phase, shortening of the luteal phase or amenorrhea. Although these changes are generally more pronounced in younger women, large inter-individual responsiveness to anabolic steroids exists. The effects of AS dosages as generally used in sport, on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in females are hardly studied.
Other side effects of anabolic steroid use in females are increased sexual desire and hypertrophy of the clitoris. The few systematic studies that have been conducted suggest that the effects are similar to the effects in patients, treated with anabolic steroids.
Anabolic steroid use by pregnant women may lead to pseudohermaphroditism or to growth retardation of the female fetus. Anabolic steroid use may even lead to fetal death. However, these side effects have not been studied systematically. It is likely that the severity of the side effects is related to the dosage, duration of use and the type of the drug.
Additional side effects of anabolic steroids specifically in women are acne, hair loss, withdrawal of the frontal hair line, male pattern boldness, lowering of the voice, increased facial hair growth, and breast atrophy. The lowering of the voice, decreased breast size, clitoris hypertrophy and hair loss are generally irreversible. Females using AS may develop masculine facial traits, male muscularity, and coarsening of the skin.
When anabolic steroids are administered in growing children side effects include virilization, gynecomastia, and premature closure of the epiphysis, resulting in cessation of longitudinal growth.

n quite a few illnesses, medical practitioners prescribe anabolic steroids. Use of it is however suggested with caution since the drug is known to show harmful side effects. Ironically, anabolic steroids are used more for non-medical reasons than otherwise, and this has been so ever since its utility for performance enhancement has become widely known among athletes and body-builders. Glossing over what prompts people resorting to anabolic steroids’ use - or is it misuse - here are some main reasons:
Professional athletes in their attempts to over-perform use anabolic steroids. One remembers Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson winning the 1988 Olympic 100-meter dash in Seoul to make a new world record, but later stripped of the title when tests revealed that he partook banned steroid, stanozolol.
Men suffering from behavioral syndromes, believing they look small and insignificant even though they are muscular, use anabolic steroids. Similarly, women with this problem take the drug as they tend to think they are flabby, though in actual they are quite lean and muscular.
It is seen that people who have suffered physical or sexual abuse in the past often take recourse to the drug with the belief that it will make them look stronger and abler thus discouraging any future attacks.
Adolescent youth get a kick out of doing risky things, like driving fast, drinking atrociously and suchlike. They are easily attracted to anabolic steroids’ use.
Are anabolic steroids not used for medicinal purpose? But yes they are. Some examples are:
Helping patients gain weight after a severe illness, injury, or continuing infection. They may also be administered when patients do not gain or maintain normal weight because of unexplained medical reasons.
Treating certain types of anemia and also some kinds of breast cancer in women.
Treating hereditary angioedema that causes swelling of face, arms, legs, throat, windpipe, bowels, or sexual organs.