Anabolic steroids: the physiological effects of placebos / Gideon Ariel, William Saville. - Medicine and Science in Sports 4 (1972) 2; p. 124-126)
ABSTRACT.
Fifteen male varsity athletes were informed that some of them would be selected to receive an anabolic steroid (Dianabol). Instead, six selected subjects were given placebo pills. Taking the placebo apparently supplied the psychological inducement to increase strength gains above and beyond reasonable progression. Greater training gains were made during the placebo period in three out of four weight lifting exercises. The gains were statitsically significant when comparing the two regression lines for the pte-placebo and placebo periods.
This study is one of three in an investigation of the short and long term effects of an anabolic steroid (Dianabol) upon human performance.
