Over the past decade, the use of steroid medications has increased among athletes, especially bodybuilders who work professionally. Therefore, the present study was conducted to compare the dark trait personality and behavioral activation-inhibition system in bodybuilders with and without the use of anabolic-androgenic steroids. The present study was descriptive and casual-comparative. The statistical population of the study consisted of all male bodybuilders of Rasht in 2019. A sample of 150 (75 natural bodybuilders and 75 steroid bodybuilders) was selected purposefully, and then data were collected using Jonson & Webster (2010) personality dark trait questionnaire and Carver & White (1994) behavioral activation-inhibition system.  Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance. The results showed that there is a significant difference in the dark trait of personality and behavioral activation-inhibition system bodybuilders' with and without the use of anabolic-androgenic steroids. Based on this, it was found that steroid bodybuilders have a lower system of inhibition and a more active behavioral system than natural bodybuilders. Also, in the components of dark character traits, steroid bodybuilders showed more Narcissism, Machiavellianism and Psychopathy. According to the results, it is possible to control the activation/inhibition system and reduce the dark trait of personality in steroid bodybuilders by implementing programs and interventions.

The purpose of this study was to comparison the dark triad traits of personality, cognitive decision making and mental toughness in natural, supplement and steroid bodybuilders. The method of this research is causal-comparative descriptive. The statistical population of the study consisted of all natural, supplement and steroid bodybuilders in Rasht (2019) among whom 150 individuals (50 natural bodybuilders, 50 supplement bodybuilders and 50 steroidal bodybuilders) were selected and available on a Dark Triad Traits of Personality Scale Jonsson and Webster, Iowa Gambling Task Scale, and Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire Sheard et al. Multivariate analysis of variance and LSD test were used to analyze the data. Results of multivariate analysis of variance showed that there was a significant difference between dark triad traits of Personality, cognitive decision making, and mental toughness in the three groups. Also, the results of the LSD follow-up test showed that steroid bodybuilders had more dark triad traits of personality and loss of body traits compared to natural and supplement bodybuilders and had less mental toughness and won. Based on the findings of the present study, it can be concluded that abuse of steroidal drugs has detrimental effects on personality and psychological characteristics of athletes. So, coaches need to pay more attention to these issues.

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.
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.
The one way ANOVA showed no significantly changes between former bodybuilders and controlgroups 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.
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.

The present study aimed at determining resources of sport self-confidence in elite bodybuilders and their relationship with body image. The subjects of study included 35 bodybuilders participating in qualifying tournaments of bodybuilding national team. A questionnaire for resources of sport self-confidence and a questionnaire of physical self-description were used to collect data. Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, one-sample ttest, Pearson correlation coefficient and one-variable regression with significance level of 0.05 were used to analyze data. The findings showed that ability demonstration (Mean=6.451 ± 0.787) was the most important resource of sport self-confidence in elite bodybuilders. Moreover, the results showed that bodybuilders had a positive body image (t(16.82)=31.94, P

Athletes, especially bodybuilders, abuse anabolic steroid drugs to improve their strength and enhance their muscle growth and appearance. Since the frequency of the anabolic steroid abuse was not known in Kerman city, so this study was conducted to determine the type and frequency of anabolic steroid abuse by bodybuilder athletes. To determine the frequency of anabolic steroid abuse in bodybuilder athletes in Kerman city, a confidential questionnaire which included the demographic data (age, education), name of abused anabolic drug, duration of drug abuse, was completed by 202 bodybuilder athletes, and the collected data were analysed by routine statistical methods. � The Frequency of anabolic steroid abuse by bodybuilders in Kerman city was 18.8%. The mean period of bodybuilding activity was significantly higher in those who used the anabolic drugs (38.8 months), comparing to those who did not use any drugs (14.3 months). Oxymetholone was the most common drug used by athletes, i.e. that 42% of the abusers merely abused Oxy metholone. The frequency of anabolic steroid abuse was not related to education and age of the bodybuilder athletes. The results of this study showed that anabolic steroids are abused by bodybuilding athletes in Kerman city, so the health care providers should provide more information to athletes about anabolic steroid adverse effects to solve the problem of abusing these drugs by them.

The present study aimed at comparing the prevalence of major psychiatric disorders including major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and generalized anxiety disorder between performance-enhancing drug users and nonuser bodybuilders. Moreover, the prevalence of major psychiatric disorders in bodybuilders was also reported.
In this study, 453 athletes were recruited from Bushehr bodybuilding gyms from February to May 2015. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the participants’ information, including demographic characteristics, sports’ status and performance-enhancing drug use. According to the condition of performance-enhancing drug use, the participants were divided into current users, non-current users, and nonusers. The psychiatric status of the participants was evaluated using DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and schizophrenia. We also asked about the acute psychotic disturbances after using performance-enhancing drugs, alcohol use, and history of aggressive behavior in bodybuilders. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and chi-square tests.
Prevalence of major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, generalized anxiety disorder, and the overall prevalence of psychiatric disorders in the bodybuilders was 19.7%, 3.8%, 1.5%, 16.6%, and 26.7%, respectively. After using performance-enhancing drugs, 33% of the bodybuilders had experienced acute psychological disturbances. There were no significant differences between current, non-current, and nonuser bodybuilding athletes in the measured psychiatric disorders.
Prevalence of psychiatric disorders was not significantly different in performance-enhancing drug users and nonusers. Thus, it can be concluded that performance-enhancing drugs do not increase the risk of psychiatric disorders in bodybuilders.

Athletes, especially bodybuilders, abuse anabolic steroid drugs to improve their strength and enhance their muscle growth and appearance. This study was conducted to determine the type and frequency of anabolic steroids abuse in bodybuilder athletes in Kerman City. A confidential questionnaire which included demographic data (age, education), name of abused anabolic drug and duration of drug abuse was completed by 202 bodybuilder athletes, and the collected data were analyzed using Chi Square test. A value of p < 0.05 was considered significant. The frequency of anabolic steroid abuse was 18.8%. The mean period of bodybuilding activity was significantly higher in those used the anabolic drugs (38.8 months), comparing to those did not use any drugs (14.3 months). Oxymetholone was the most common drug used by athletes (42% merely used Oxymetholone). The frequency of anabolic steroids abuse was not related to education and age of the bodybuilder athletes. Bodybuilder athletes in Kerman city abuse anabolic steroids, and the health care system should plan to inform them about anabolic steroid adverse effects.

Prevalence of anabolic steroids (ASs) consumption among bodybuilders has increased progressively. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of ASs consumption on C-reactive protein (CRP) in bodybuilders. Sixty healthy men (age: 24/1± 9/1yr; weight: 77±10 kg and height: 172±12 cm) participated in the study voluntarily. These subjects were selected from three groups. First group (FG) was bodybuilders who consumed ASs (n=20), second group (SG) was bodybuilders who did not consume ASs (n=20) and third group (TG) were untrained subjects as control (n=20). Blood samples were collected in fasting state (12 hours) at 09:00 for CRP assessment. Strength and volume of the forearm, pectoral major and femur muscles were measured via 1RM test and muscle circumstances, respectively. Speed was assessed by 30m speed test. Analysis of variance test and LSD post-hoc test was used. FG had significantly greater blood CRP (P<0/05) compared to other groups. However, differences between SG and TG were not significant. Muscle strength, and forearm and femur circumstances were greater in FG than other groups. Furthermore, this was greater in SG than TG. But chest circumstance was greater in FG and SG than TG only. There were no significant differences in speed between groups.Discussion and ASs consumption for muscle strength and volume improvement in bodybuilders is accompanied by higher level of CRP (as a cardiovascular risk factor).

Body builders abuse anabolic steroid drugs to improve their strength and their muscle growth and appearance, some of the probable side effects can be sexual dysfunction, infertility and gynecgomastia. Due to the importance of the issue and reports about abuse of drugs in bodybuilders and an unidentified frequency of anabolic steroid drug abuse and unknown side effects, this study was conducted to determine the frequency of anabolic steroid drug abuse and the prevalence if its side effects in Tehran. A population of 721 male bodybuilders was chosen in different phases between 1388 and 1389. The instrument of the study was a questionnaire. The content validity was established by administration in one of the districts and by verification with experts. The reliability was computed through Alpha Cronbach. The questionnaire had questions regarding dose,route of abuse of anabolic steroids and the presence of complications such as sexual dysfunction,infertility and gynecomastia. The data were analyzed using SPSS 17; a t-test and Pearson correlation were run. The frequency of anabolic steroid abuse by bodybuilders in Tehran was 36.19 percent. Nanderolone was the most common drug used by athletes (%75.09). The side effects were infertility, gynecomastia, acne on face and body, atrophy of testis, sexual dysfunction and hair loss. Results showed a direct relationship between dose, length of use and the occurrence of side effects. Anabolic steroid abuse and its complications are prevalent in bodybuilders and since infertility is the most important complication in this group so the necessity of educating bodybuilders on the correct use and side effects of drugs is mandatory.

Androgenic-anabolic steroids (AAS) are abused by a growing number of bodybuilders. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to determine prevalence and patterns of AAS use by bodybuilders in Hamadan, western Iran. In this cross-sectional study, participants were recruited from five gym clubs in two area of Hamadan (a total of 10 clubs). Twenty-five bodybuilders from each club were administered. Questions investigating demographic information, sport history, education level, general knowledge about AAS, and their side effects were asked. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 16. The frequency of AAS use was 28.8% (72/250). Fifty-four percent of users were 25 years or younger. AAS abuse showed a significant association with duration of exercise. The drugs were suggested mostly from peers (43.1%) and coaches (36.1%). The most commonly consumed anabolic steroid was testosterone (66.7%). The most commonly reported AAS side effect was acne (18.1%). There was not significant association between general knowledge about side effects of ASS and their use. The results of current survey indicate that frequency of ASS use is high in adolescents and young adult bodybuilders. Well educated bodybuilders have a higher prevalence of abuse. Awareness about the side effects of drugs is not deterrent factor for their abuse. Iranian Ministry of Sport and the Youth, and the National Council for Youth, should be urged to conduct more effective prevention strategies.