Body builders

Adrenergic receptor agonists, in particular clen-buterol, have been used for their hypertrophic effects on skeletal and also cardiac muscle. They can increase muscle growth in cattle (illegal in many countries) but have also been used by body-builders and athletes as anabolic dtugs. 

Those athletes who are genetically adapted to become very muscular -weightlifter types and body builders - are likely to have 40% Type I and 60% Type II whereas those destined to become great endurance athletes probably have 60 80% Type I and 20 0% Type II muscle fibres. 

Strength training exercises, i.e. weight training by body builders (Table 13.11). 

Answer The use and abuse of anabolic steroids by athletes and body builders of either sex to increase strength and muscle mass is widespread. Surveys indicate that in the United States 6% of high school athletes, 20% of college athletes, and more than 50% of professional athletes in certain sports use or abuse anabolic steroids at some time. Use of these compounds does result in increased muscle mass, strength, and endurance. However, much of this beneht is now thought to be due as much to en-... 

The patterns of anabolic-androgenic steroid use by sportspeople and body-builders, and their physical and psychological side-effects and dependence potential, have been very well reviewed by Brower (2002). Much of the use is by injection, and so many of this population attend needle exchanges, with the advice on reducing infection risks relevant. To increase energy, burn fat and to go through the pain barrier some will use amphetamines and opiates, either street preparations or illicit pharmaceutical supplies. In the UK the opioid nalbuphine (Nubain) has been abused in this way and, in cases where dependence becomes established, detoxification treatments can be necessary. 

Folklore Although there are steroidal compounds present in sarsaparilla, the rumoured presence of testosterone, which made it of interest to body-builders, has not been substantiated. The root has been used in soft drinks and root beers. Sarsaparilla was introduced into Europe following the Spanish colonization of South America. It was regarded as a cure-all and was established in pharmacopoeias until the early twentieth century (Bown, 2003 British Herbal Medicine Association, 1983 Giuenwald et al, 2002 Tierra, 1998). 

A German report of a 22-year-old male body-builder who had taken both testosterone propionate and nandrolone decanoate in rising doses over a period of 4 months detailed the emergence of fulminant acne, a sternoclavicular bone lesion, and loss of libido (77). Severe acne after excessive androgen use has been reported before, and the apparently osteoarthritic complication in this case was probably secondary to the acne. 

Cholestasis and renal insufficiency occurred together in a German body-builder who had been taking two anabolic steroids together over a period of 80 days (79). 

A partial empty sella syndrome occurred in an elite 39-year-old body-builder with a 17-year history of drug abuse involving growth hormone, anabolic steroids, testosterone, and thyroid hormone (82). 

Bochnia M, Medras M, Pospiech L, Jaworska M. Poststeroid balance disorder—a case report in a body builder. Int J Sports Med 1999 20(6) 407-9. 

Habscheid W, Abele U, Dahm HH. Schwere Cholestase mit Nierenversagen durch Anabolika bei einem Bodybuilder. [Severe cholestasis with kidney failure from anabolic steroids in a body builder.] Dtsch Med Wochenschr 1999 124(36) 1029-32. 

Partial empty sella syndrome (pituitary atrophy) has been described in an elite body builder who had abused various hormones, including testosterone, growth hormone, and triiodothyronine 25 micrograms qds for many years (56). He presented with infertility, and investigations showed suppression of serum TSH, a raised serum T3, and a partially empty pituitary sella. 

Some body-builders misuse insulin to manipulate the effects of diet. 

Some body builders tout the combination of caffeine with the herbal stimulant ephedra as harmless, and suggest the combination helps turn fat into muscle. A study published in 2001 does support the claim that caffeine and ephedrine can boost results in laboratory attempts to mimic the tasks of competing athletes. However, ephedra, the herbal drug containing the chemical ephedrine, has been linked to several deaths. 

In a series reported in 2001 of five patients seen for abrupt withdrawal from GBL, symptoms included rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, delusions of being persecuted or harmed, hallucinations, and fluctuating states of consciousness. Most of the patients were body builders, and ranged in age from 23 to 33 years. Patients had been taking GBL for two to nine months, and developed withdrawal symptoms one to six hours after their last dose, with symptoms lasting up to 14 days. 

Then, in the 1980s, GHB was endorsed by the health food industry as a growth hormone stimulator, and was marketed and sold to help body builders increase muscle mass and maintain weight. But, also, GHB was embraced as an aid in weight loss and as an over-the-counter sleep agent because of its sedative side effects. 

Additionally, GHB and its precursors are used by body builders as an alternative to anabolic steroids. The drug has been marketed for its alleged ability to release large amounts of natural human growth hormone during sleep, build muscle, and reduce fat. 

Unapproved use Androgenic steroids are used to increase lean body mass, muscle strength and aggressiveness in athletes and body builders (see Adverse Effects ). 

Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of the cells due to synthesis of more sub-cellular components. An increase in the size of the organ results. Take, for example, cardiac hypertrophy in response to increased workload. The increased load is often a result of some pathological condition such as heart valve incompetence or stenosis of an outflow path. Hypertrophy of the muscles of a body builder is another good example, in which the increased workload is due to continued weight training. 

Metabolite of GABA GHB aciduria from succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency drug of abuse (body builders,... 

Rhabdomyolysis has been attributed to chromium pico-linate in a 24-year-old body builder who took 1200 micrograms over 48 hours (18). 

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