Skip to main content
PMC home page
Journal of Athletic Training logoLink to Journal of Athletic Training
. 1996 Jul-Sep;31(3):237–241.

Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Use Among California Community College Student-Athletes

Robert D Kersey 1
PMCID: PMC1318510  PMID: 16558405

Abstract

Objective:

To determine the incidence of anabolic- androgenic steroid use among a sample of community college student-athletes; also, to compare various aspects of users and nonusers, as well as to describe usage patterns.

Design and Setting:

A survey following random stratified cluster sampling techniques was administered to 10 California community colleges.

Subjects:

A group of 1,185 male and female student- athletes.

Measurements:

An anonymous 27-item, valid, and reliable questionnaire was administered surveying anabolic-androgenic steroid use and usage patterns.

Results:

Of all student-athletes sampled, 3.3% were anabolic -androgenic steroid users. Gender-specific incidence rates were 4.2% for males and 1.2% for females. Anabolic- androgenic steroid users tended to be older males, usually in their second year of college. The users were more often minorities. Users believed that they were knowledgeable about anabolic-androgenic steroids, and that the rates of usage were higher than reported. Their sources of steroid information were often lifting partners and fellow athletes. Use of these drugs was most often in cycles (mean of 6.7 weeks) and was frequently done using multiple anabolic-androgenic steroids at a time. The average number of cycles completed was 2.9. A wide variety of steroids were used by the student-athletes, of which most were obtained from illegal sources.

Conclusions:

Anabolic-androgenic steroid use among Califonia community college student-athletes were similar to other previous research studies involving high school and university student-athletes.

Keywords: anabolic steroid(s), athlete, ergogenic aid(s)

Full text

PDF
240

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Ariel G. Residual effect of an anabolic steroid upon isotonic muscular force. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 1974 Jun;14(2):103–111. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Buckley W. E., Yesalis C. E., 3rd, Friedl K. E., Anderson W. A., Streit A. L., Wright J. E. Estimated prevalence of anabolic steroid use among male high school seniors. JAMA. 1988 Dec 16;260(23):3441–3445. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Dezelsky T. L., Toohey J. V., Shaw R. S. Non-medical drug use behaviour at five United States universities: a 15-year study. Bull Narc. 1985 Apr-Sep;37(2-3):49–53. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Frankle M. A., Cicero G. J., Payne J. Use of androgenic anabolic steroids by athletes. JAMA. 1984 Jul 27;252(4):482–482. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Freed D. L., Banks A. J., Longson D., Burley D. M. Anabolic steroids in athelics: crossover double-blind trial on weightlifters. Br Med J. 1975 May 31;2(5969):471–473. doi: 10.1136/bmj.2.5969.471. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Hervey G. R., Knibbs A. V., Burkinshaw L., Morgan D. B., Jones P. R., Chettle D. R., Vartsky D. Effects of methandienone on the performance and body composition of men undergoing athletic training. Clin Sci (Lond) 1981 Apr;60(4):457–461. doi: 10.1042/cs0600457. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Johnson L. C., Fisher G., Silvester L. J., Hofheins C. C. Anabolic steroid: effects on strength, body weight, oxygen uptake and spermatogenesis upon mature males. Med Sci Sports. 1972 Spring;4(1):43–45. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Johnson M. D., Jay M. S., Shoup B., Rickert V. I. Anabolic steroid use by male adolescents. Pediatrics. 1989 Jun;83(6):921–924. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Komoroski E. M., Rickert V. I. Adolescent body image and attitudes to anabolic steroid use. Am J Dis Child. 1992 Jul;146(7):823–828. doi: 10.1001/archpedi.1992.02160190055019. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Krowchuk D. P., Anglin T. M., Goodfellow D. B., Stancin T., Williams P., Zimet G. D. High school athletes and the use of ergogenic aid. Am J Dis Child. 1989 Apr;143(4):486–489. doi: 10.1001/archpedi.1989.02150160116023. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Lindström M., Nilsson A. L., Katzman P. L., Janzon L., Dymling J. F. Use of anabolic-androgenic steroids among body builders--frequency and attitudes. J Intern Med. 1990 Jun;227(6):407–411. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2796.1990.tb00179.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Ljungqvist A. The use of anabolic steroids in top Swedish athletes. Br J Sports Med. 1975 Jul;9(2):82–82. doi: 10.1136/bjsm.9.2.82. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. McKillop G. Drug abuse in body builders in the West of Scotland. Scott Med J. 1987 Apr;32(2):39–41. doi: 10.1177/003693308703200204. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Payne A. H. Anabolic steroids in athletics (or the rise of the mediocrity). Br J Sports Med. 1975 Jul;9(2):83–88. doi: 10.1136/bjsm.9.2.83. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Terney R., McLain L. G. The use of anabolic steroids in high school students. Am J Dis Child. 1990 Jan;144(1):99–103. doi: 10.1001/archpedi.1990.02150250111046. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Tricker R., O'Neill M. R., Cook D. The incidence of anabolic steroid use among competitive bodybuilders. J Drug Educ. 1989;19(4):313–325. doi: 10.2190/EGT5-4YWD-QX15-FLKK. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Whitehead R., Chillag S., Elliott D. Anabolic steroid use among adolescents in a rural state. J Fam Pract. 1992 Oct;35(4):401–405. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Win-May M., Mya-Tu M. The effect of anabolic steroids on physical fitness. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 1975 Sep;15(3):266–271. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Windsor R., Dumitru D. Prevalence of anabolic steroid use by male and female adolescents. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1989 Oct;21(5):494–497. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Journal of Athletic Training are provided here courtesy of National Athletic Trainers Association

RESOURCES