Roschupkin A.A. Sumy State University, Medical institute, Ukraine

Afonina Т.V. Luhansk State Medical University, Ukraine

ANALYSIS OF THE USE OF DRUGS CONTAINING TESTOSTERONE BY FITNESS CLUBS ATHLETES

 The appropriateness and effectiveness of doing sport within the frame of a healthy lifestyle is a sort of axiom in modern society. However the pursuit of ever-higher achievements in sports often leads to the usage of various groups of pharmaceuticals. Notably, some athletes in bodybuilding use hormonal drugs in order to increase muscle mass. It is proved that taking certain medications can disrupt the balance between death and birth of cells in the direction of growth of new muscle mass. Such drugs are anabolic, its indications are strictly regulated and use must be supervised by a physician. Despite the sufficiently large amount of information about the adverse effects of this group of drugs on the body's functions , athletes continue to use them , often on their own, without proper medical supervision.
 

The purpose of the study. This study focuses on analyzing the effects of intake of testosterone-containing drugs without doctor’s supervision on endogenous testosterone levels in the blood of athletes-bodybuilders. The dynamics of some psychosomatic parameters of athletes has also been evaluated with the help of a questionnaire.

 Materials and methods. Free testosterone levels before and after taking drugs containing exogenous testosterone were an analyzed during the examination of ten sportsmen of various fitness clubs. Taking these drugs was initiated by the athletes themselves based on data specialized literature for athletes available in the public domain. During the preparation for the competition sportsmen were trying to build muscle and used relatively affordable drugs such as Testosterone propionate 5% and Omnadren under various schemes with the helpof intramuscular injections. The studies were conducted twice - the first sampling was made at the initiative of the athletes prior to the course of intensive training and intake of testosterone -containing drugs and again after 1-1.5 months after they finished to take drugs.Patients were assessed using a specially designed questionnaire by a number of objective and subjective symptoms. Index of build muscle , muscle relief , changes in the structures of the skin and hair , etc.have been evaluated subjectively.
The strength ( depth) of side effects of exogenous hormones on various aspects of mental and sexual lives of athletes has been paidmost attention in an anonymous questionnaire.

The results of the study. Tendency of free testosterone level decrease in the blood plasma of athletes has been noticed as a result of taking these drugs. The initial level of free testosterone in the group was 23,65 ± 9,16 ng\ml, while in studies at the end of drugs intake it was 11,62 ±5,42 ng\ml . Table 1

Table 1 The level of free testosterone in the athletes’ blood 

Number of participants	Free testosterone level
	Before course, ng/ml	After course, ng/ml
1	6,926	4,545
2	25,546	15,358
3	20,235	7,445
4	12,489	5,453
5	30,312	15,453
6	28,985	14,453
7	37,745	19,455
8	26,945	16,344
9	18,457	5,453
10	28,845	12,315

 
Almost all athletes achieved the expected effect - increase in total body weight, growth of muscle volume, muscle definition. Power indicators of 100% of athletes has increased during first week, their weight increased from 1 to 2 kg. On the second week, weight increased up to 5 kg in 20% of athletes. During the period of use of steroid medications we got the following results

Pic.1. Dynamics of change of weight of athletes

1. Got up to 6-7 kg

2. Got up to 9-10 kg

3. Got up to 12 kg

 Power indicators during some exercises increased to 40 %. Level of endurance has increased.

At the same time appetite level increase has been observed at the end of 2-3 weeks; 40% of respondents had insomnia, but they did not feel weak in the morning, i.e. they needed less time to recuperate than before the use of anabolic steroid drugs. Due to the increase in weight 40% of the athletes had dyspnea. 8 athletes has observed skin rash on shoulders, face, back. In terms of psycho-emotional status all respondents noted an improvement in mood, but the 30% claimed to have good mood accompanied with periods of aggression. Interest in the opposite sex sharply increased. The increase of pressure, tachycardia, acne, gynecomastia has been noticed in rare cases. Subsequently all of the described changes tended to inversion. During the survey it has been determined that majority of the sportsmen do not have full information about side effects of these drugs.

Conclusions

1 Testosterone-containing drugs intake to improve sport performance leads to a significant reduction of own testosterone level.

2 The spectrum of side effects is associated with the bad effect of hormone-containing drugs on the hormonal system of athletes.

3. More awareness about the harm of uncontrolled intake of this type of potent drugs with a wide range of positive and side effects is required