Abuse of Anabolic Steroids among Youth in Fitness Centers

Overview

The article deals with the problem of anabolic steroid misuse among youth participating in recreational sports in attending the fitness centers and bodybuilding gyms. The knowledge about the widespread distribution of this phenomenon, information and risks, which the misuse of doping agents (especially anabolic steroids) represents, have been obtained from a representative statewide survey of visitors of these centers aged 15 years and more. The results of the investigation confirmed that most respondents gained the information about doping agents from their friends, but also directly from their trainers or instructors. Almost one quarter of them has already been offered to use steroids and at the same time, about the same number had the courage to use anabolic steroids mostly for a higher effect of their exercise and for reaching the expected effect in body building. Their personal experience with the use of anabolic steroids was admitted in 15% of the interviewed individuals, who were willing to invest about 1800 CZK (60 EUR) monthly. This information is a serious warning and simultaneously also an appeal for more efficient prevention, aimed especially at the risk groups of young population attending the fitness centers and body building gyms. In addition to legislative measures, mostly parents, teachers and more often also physicians should exert their influence.

Key words:
anabolic steroids, fitness centers, doping agents, recreational sports, youth