O credenciamento do laboratório antidopagem : ciência e política na luta contra o doping no esporte = The accreditation of the anti-doping laboratory : science and politics in the fight against doping in sport =  La acreditación del laboratorio antidopaje : ciencia y política en la lucha contra el dopaje en el deporte / Daniel Giordani Vasques, Ekain Zubizarreta Zuzuarregi, Marco Paulo Stigger

• Revista Brasileira de Ciências do Esporte 43 (202), e006321
• DOI: 10.1590/rbce.43.e006321

RESUMO

A pesquisa social sobre doping e a luta contra ele cresceu nos últimos anos, porém sua distribuição é desigual. O objetivo é descrever como os interesses da WADA e do governo brasileiro para ter o laboratório preparado para os Jogos de 2016 afetaram a luta antidopagem. Adotamos procedimentos etnográficos para analisar a suspensão, descredenciamento e recredenciamento do LBCD (2013-2015). Com ajuda da sociologia pragmática, visualizaram-se associações e interesses dos atores. Especificamente, retratou-se como a WADA conseguiu pressionar o governo por meio do descredenciamento de 2013 e, a partir das ações e associações do governo, como ela foi flexível para recredenciar um laboratório em condições inadequadas, a fim de mantê-lo atuante para os Jogos de 2016.

ABSTRACT

Social research on doping and anti-doping has grown in recent years. However, its distribution is uneven. The objective is to study how WADA and Brazilian government for having an operational laboratory affected anti-doping. We adopted an ethnographic approach to describe the processes of suspension, revocation and re-accreditation of LBCD (2013-2015). Using pragmatic sociology concepts, it is possible to identify actors’ associations and interests. Specifically, the paper will show that WADA managed to pressure the government through the 2013 revocation – forcing it to act and to associate with other actors − but it was then flexible to re-accredit a laboratory in inadequate conditions, in order to have it operational for 2016 Games.

RESUMEN

La investigación social sobre antidopaje ha crecido en los últimos años, sin embargo, la repartición es desigual. El objetivo es describir cómo los intereses de AMA y del gobierno brasileño de tener un laboratorio para los JJOO de 2016 afectaron la lucha antidopaje. Adoptamos métodos etnográficos para analizar los procesos de suspensión, desacreditación y reacreditación del LBCD (2013-2015). Es posible identificar las asociaciones e intereses de los actores. Específicamente, se relata cómo AMA logró presionar al gobierno con la desacreditación y que, tras las acciones y asociaciones posteriores del gobierno, cómo fue flexible a la hora de volver a acreditar el laboratorio en condiciones inadecuadas, a fin de mantener el laboratorio operativo para los Juegos.

The actions and side effects of Anabolic Steroids in sport and social abuse / Alan James George. - (Andrologie 13 (2003) 4 (December);p. 354-366)

• DOI: 10.1007/BF03035203

Erratum published in: Andrologie 14 (2004) 1 (March); p. 1

• DOI: 10.1007/BF03035476

Abstract:

Anabolic steroids (AS) derived from testosterone have both anabolic (muscle and strength enhancing) and androgenic (primary and secondary sexual) effects. Efforts to limit the androgenic while enhancing the anabolic effects have not been successful. Alterations to the structure of testosterone, so as to improve the pharmacokinetics of AS, have resulted in drugs, which are orally active, have a longer plasma half life and may be administered as depot injections. Therapeutic doses of AS produce statistically significant effects on strength and athletic performance in well-controlled scientific and clinical trials. At low, therapeutic doses, diet and an intensive training regime are equally important in producing a statistically significant increase in strength. Higher doses 6–7000mg per week are regularly administered in sport and produce the greatest increases in muscle strength erythropoiesis and lean body mass. Patterns of steroid abuse can be complex, reflecting a desire to minimise side effects, and avoid detection. AS side effects are of many types. AS increase salt and water retention leading to an expansion of the blood volume, but effects of steroids on blood pressure are equivocal and most cardiovascular side effects appear to be reversible.

Abuse of AS causes an increase in blood triglyceride and cholesterol levels and this is associated with a decline in High Density Lipoproteins (HDLs) and an increase in the Low Density (LDL) type. Though these effects are reversible they are associated with an increased risk of both acute and chronic cardiovascular pathology. The most serious irreversible anabolic steroid side effects are associated with carcinomas-mainly of the liver, prostate and kidney. Hepatic carcinomas are strongly associated with abuse of the orally active 17alpha methyl substituted steroids, which also produce a reversible jaundice. In males, anabolic steroid abuse causes suppression of LH and FSH release leading to inhibition of testosterone production often accompanied by testicular atrophy, and azoospermia. High, chronic doses of the drugs may also cause moderate to severe feminising effects in the form of gynaecomastia. Male secondary sexual characteristics are a side effect of AS abuse in women. Increased insulin resistance and elevated fasting blood glucose levels are the commonest non-gonadal endocrine side effects of AS.

AS abuse leads to contradictory, complex, behavioural, and psychiatric changes. Increased frequency of mental illness, in anabolic steroid abusers including paranoid schizophrenia, mania and depression has been reported. Physical and psychological dependency occur amongst some anabolic steroid abusers and severe psychiatric disorders can appear upon withdrawal, leading in a few cases to criminality and even suicide. We need more studies on the long-term effects of AS. The implications of the past 50 years of AS abuse will be discussed in the review.

The Ad Hoc Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games – An Overview / Domenico Di Pietro. – (International Sports Law Journal (2005) 3-4 : p. 23-27)

Content:
1.) Introduction

2.) The Cases:
- CAS OG 04/001,
Russian Olympic Committee v. Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI)
- CAS OG 04/003,
Torri Edwards v. International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and USA Track and Field (USATF)
- CAS OG 04/004,
David Munyasia v. International Olympic Committee (IOC)
- CAS OG 04/005,
David Calder and Christopher Jarvis v. Federation Internationale des Societes d’Aviron (FISA)
- CAS OG 04/006,
Australian Olympic Committee (“AOC”)) v. International Olympic Committee (“IOC”)and International Canoe Federation (“ICF”)
- CAS OG 04/007,
Comite’ National Olympique et Sportif Francais (CNOF), British Olympic Association (BOA) and United States Olympic Committee (USOC) v Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) and National Olympic Committee for Germany
- CAS OG 04/008,
Comité National Olympique et Sportif Français (“CNOSF”) v. International Canoe Federation (“ICF”) and International Olympic Committee (“IOC”)
- CAS OG 04/009,
Hellenic Olympic Committee (“HOC”) and Nikolaos Kaklamanakis v. International Sailing Federation (“ISAF”)
- CAS OG 04/010,
Mr Yang Tae Young v International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) and United States Olympic Committee (USOC)

3.) Conclusions

The cases administered by the ad hoc division of CAS at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games showed an increase in the challenges to refereeing decisions which were either wrong or perceived to be unfair. Even though only a few complaints were eventually formalised into actual CAS proceedings many more were about to reach that stage.

A regrettable element of the Olympic Games was obviously the presence of doping violations. The stringent regulations aimed at eradicating this terrible plague as well as the diligent enforcement of such regulations by CAS are to be praised and supported. It has been observed in this respect that, perhaps, the fight against doping should differentiate between sanctions to be imposed on deliberate cheating and sanctions to be imposed where the violation is the result of mere and genuine negligence. The objective difficulty in ascertaining the nature of the offence that such differentiation would be likely to give rise to is however a problem that may stop any future policy in that direction at least as long as doping remains such a malicious and unfortunately widespread enemy of sport and health.

Despite the presence of such difficult issues that the Olympic Movement will have to tackle in the future, one of the many positive notes in Athens, together with the excellent organisation of the Games, was that - once again since the creation of the ad hoc division - the Court of Arbitration for Sport has not failed to provide the Olympic Games with highly professional and perfectly organised service for the fast and effective protection of the rule of law in sport disputes.

Linn Goldberg, MD; Diane L. Elliot, MD; Gregory N. Clarke, PhD; David P. MacKinnon, PhD; Leslie Zoref, PhD; Esther Moe, PhD; Christopher Green, MEd; Stephanie L. Wolf
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1996;150:713-721

Objective: To develop and test a school-based intervention to prevent anabolic androgenic steroid use among high-risk adolescent athletes.

Design: Nonrandom controlled trial.

Setting: Two urban high schools.

Participants: Fifty-six adolescent football players at the experimental school and 24 players at the control school.

Intervention: Eight weekly, 1-hour classroom sessions delivered by the coach and adolescent team leaders, and eight weight-room sessions delivered by research staff. The intervention addressed sports nutrition and strength training as alternatives to steroid
use, drug refusal role play, and antisteroid media campaigns.

Outcome Measures: A preintervention and postintervention questionnaire that assessed attitudes toward and intent to use steroids and other drugs; knowledge of drug effects; and diet, exercise, and related constructs.

Results: Compared with controls, experimental subjects were significantly less interested in trying steroids after the intervention, were less likely to want to use them even if their friends used them, were less likely to believe steroid use was a good idea, believed steroids were more dangerous, had better knowledge of alternatives to steroid use, had improved body image, increased their knowledge ofdiet supplements, and had less beliefin these
supplements as beneficial.

Conclusions: Significant beneficial effects were found despite the sample size, suggesting that the effect of the intervention was large. This outcome trial demonstrates an effective anabolic androgenic steroid prevention program for adolescent athletes, and the potential of team-based interventions to enhance adolescents' health.

Goldberg L, MacKinnon DP, Elliot DL, Moe EL, Clarke G, Cheong J.Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2000 Apr;154(4):332-8.
Department of Medicine, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201-3098, USA. goldberl@ohsu.edu

BACKGROUND:
Use of alcohol and other illicit drugs by adolescent male athletes is a significant problem. Participation in sports may encourage use of drugs that enhance athletic performance, especially anabolic steroids (AS). Because, to our knowledge, no other intervention has successfully altered substance abuse by athletes, we developed and assessed the efficacy of a team-centered, sex-specific education program designed to reduce adolescent athletes' intentions to use and use of AS and alcohol and other illicit drugs.

METHODS:
We studied 31 high school football teams that comprised 3207 athletes in 3 successive annual cohorts (1994-1996). The intervention included interactive classroom and exercise training sessions given by peer educators and facilitated by coaches and strength trainers. Program content included discussion of sports nutrition, exercise alternatives to AS and sport supplements, and the effects of substance abuse in sports, drug refusal role-playing, and the creation of health promotion messages. Questionnaires assessing AS, the use of sport supplements and alcohol and other illicit drugs, and potential risk and protective factors were administered before and after the intervention (before and after the football season) and up to 1 year after the program.

RESULTS:
At season's end, intentions to use (P<.05) and actual AS use (P<.04) were significantly lower among students who participated in the study. Although AS reduction did not achieve significance at 1 year (P<.08), intentions to use AS remained lower (P = .02). Illicit drug use (marijuana, amphetamines, and narcotics) was reduced at 1 year, whether alcohol was included (P = .04) or excluded (P = .02) from the index. Other long-term effects included fewer students reporting drinking and driving (P = .004), less sport supplement use (P = .009), and improved nutrition behaviors (P<.02).

CONCLUSIONS:
Use of alcohol and other illicit drugs and associated harmful activities can be prevented with a sex-specific, team-centered education. School athletic teams provide an optimal environment in which to provide drug prevention and health promotion education.

PMID:
10768668
[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

The aetiology and trajectory of anabolic-androgenic steroid use initiation: a systematic review and synthesis of qualitative research / Dominic Sagoe, Cecilie Schou Andreassen, Ståle Pallesen. - (Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy 9 (2014) 27 (2 July); p. 1-14)

• DOI: 10.1186/1747-597X-9-27

Abstract

Background

To our knowledge, there has never been a systematic review and synthesis of the qualitative literature on the trajectory and aetiology of nonmedical anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) use.

Methods

We systematically reviewed and synthesized qualitative literature gathered from searches in PsycINFO, PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Google Scholar, and reference lists of relevant literature to investigate AAS users’ ages of first use and source(s), history prior to use, and motives/drives for initiating use. We adhered to the recommendations of the UK Economic and Social Research Council’s qualitative research synthesis manual and the PRISMA guidelines.

Results

A total of 44 studies published between 1980 and 2014 were included in the synthesis. Studies originated from 11 countries: the United States (n = 18), England (n = 8), Australia (n = 4), Sweden (n = 4), both England and Wales (n = 2), and Scotland (n = 2). One study each originated from Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Great Britain, and Norway. The majority of AAS users initiated use before age 30. Sports participation (particularly power sports), negative body image, and psychological disorders such as depression preceded initiation of AAS use for most users. Sources of first AAS were mainly users’ immediate social networks and the illicit market. Enhanced sports performance, appearance, and muscle/strength were the paramount motives for AAS use initiation.

Conclusions

Our findings elucidate the significance of psychosocial factors in AAS use initiation. The proliferation of AAS on the illicit market and social networks demands better ways of dealing with the global public health problem of AAS use.

The aging population - is there a role for endocrine interventions? / Ralf Nass, Gudmundur Johannsson, Jens S. Christiansen, John J. Kopchick, Michael O. Thorner. - (Growth Hormone & IGF Research 19 (2009) 2 (April); p. 89-100)

• PMID: 18977675
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ghir.2008.09.002

Abstract

The expected increase in the aging population will have a significant impact on society and the health system in the coming years and decades. Enhancing healthspan, "healthy aging", and thus extending the time that the elderly are able to function independently is a significant task and is imperative. Age-dependent changes such as weight loss, sarcopenia and anorexia, which contribute to the development of frailty in the elderly are discussed. The role of the age-dependent decrease in growth hormone secretion in this process and the potential benefits and risks of hormonal interventions to delay, prevent or reverse frailty in the elderly are reviewed.

The Anabolic 500 survey : characteristics of male users versus nonusers of anabolic-androgenic steroids for strength training / Eric J. Ip, Mitchell J. Barnett, Michael J. Tenerowicz, Paul J. Perry. - (Pharmacotherapy 31 (2011) 8 (August); p. 757-766).
- PMID: 21923602.
- DOI: 10.1592/phco.31.8.757

Abstract

STUDY OBJECTIVE:
To contrast the characteristics of two groups of men who participated in strength-training exercise-those who reported anabolicandrogenic steroid (AAS) use versus those who reported no AAS use.

DESIGN:
Analysis of data from the Anabolic 500, a cross-sectional survey.

PARTICIPANTS:
Five hundred six male self-reported AAS users (mean age 29.3 yrs) and 771 male self-reported nonusers of AAS (mean age 25.2 yrs) who completed an online survey between February 19 and June 30, 2009.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:
Respondents were recruited from Internet discussion boards of 38 fitness, bodybuilding, weightlifting, and steroid Web sites. The respondents provided online informed consent and completed the Anabolic 500, a 99-item Web-based survey. Data were collected on demographics, use of AAS and other performance-enhancing agents, alcohol and illicit drug use, substance dependence disorder, other Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision diagnoses, and history of sexual and/or physical abuse. Most (70.4%) of the AAS users were recreational exercisers who reported using an average of 11.1 performance-enhancing agents in their routine. Compared with nonusers, the AAS users were more likely to meet criteria for substance dependence disorder (23.4% vs 11.2%, p<0.001), report a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder (10.1% vs 6.1%, p=0.010), use cocaine within the past 12 months (11.3% vs 4.7%, p<0.001), and report a history of sexual abuse (6.1% vs 2.7%, p=0.005).

CONCLUSION:
Most of the AAS users in this study were recreational exercisers who practiced polypharmacy. The AAS users were more likely than nonusers to meet criteria for substance dependence disorder, report a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder, report recent cocaine use, and have a history of sexual abuse. The information uncovered in this study may help clinicians and researchers develop appropriate intervention strategies for AAS abuse.

The anabolic androgenic steroid oxandrolone in the treatment of wasting and catabolic disorders: review of efficacy and safety / Rhonda Orr, Maria Fiatarone Singh. - (Drugs 64 (2004) 7; p. 725-750)

• PMID: 15025546
• DOI: 10.2165/00003495-200464070-00004

Abstract

There has been increasing interest in the development of effective agents that can be safely used to promote anabolism in the clinical setting for patients with chronic wasting conditions as well as in the prevention and treatment of frailty associated with loss of muscle tissue in aging (sarcopenia).

One such agent is the anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) oxandrolone, which has been used in such clinical situations as HIV-related muscle wasting, severe burn injury, trauma following major surgery, neuromuscular disorders and alcoholic hepatitis for over 30 years. In the US, oxandrolone is the only AAS that is US FDA-approved for restitution of weight loss after severe trauma, major surgery or infections, malnutrition due to alcoholic cirrhosis, and Duchenne's or Becker's muscular dystrophy.

Our review of the use of oxandrolone in the treatment of catabolic disorders, HIV and AIDS-related wasting, neuromuscular and other disorders provides strong evidence of its clinical efficacy. Improvements in body composition, muscle strength and function, status of underlying disease or recovery from acute catabolic injury and nutritional status are significant in the vast majority of well designed trials. However, oxandrolone has not yet been studied in sarcopenia.

Unlike other orally administered C17alpha-alkylated AASs, the novel chemical configuration of oxandrolone confers a resistance to liver metabolism as well as marked anabolic activity. In addition, oxandrolone appears not to exhibit the serious hepatotoxic effects (jaundice, cholestatic hepatitis, peliosis hepatis, hyperplasias and neoplasms) attributed to the C17alpha-alkylated AASs. Oxandrolone is reported to be generally well tolerated and the most commonly documented adverse effects are transient elevations in transaminase levels and reductions in high density lipoprotein cholesterol level.

However, optimal risk:benefit ratios for oxandrolone and other agents in its class will need to be refined before widespread clinical acceptance of AASs as a therapeutic option in sarcopenia and other chronic wasting conditions.

The Anabolic Androgenic Steroid Treatment Gap : A National Study of Substance Use Disorder Treatment / Ingrid Amalia Havnes, Marie Lindvik Jørstad, Jim McVeigh, Marie-Claire Van Hout, Astrid Bjørnebekk. - (Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment 14 (2020) January-December).

Abstract:

Background: Anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) use is associated with serious mental and physical health problems. Evidence indicates that AAS use among people who use psychoactive substances is higher than in the general population. This study aims to estimate lifetime AAS use among patients in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, compare characteristics of AAS and non-AAS users and identify whether AAS use was addressed during treatment.

Methods: This cross-sectional survey included 563 (142 women, 24.2%) patients in 38 SUD treatment facilities in Norway. Respondents reported on AAS and substance use, and treatment experiences.

Results: Lifetime AAS use was reported by 156 (28.3%) SUD patients, thereof 35.6% of the men and 8.0% of the women. Lifetime AAS use was highest among men with stimulants (55.8%) as preferred substance, and lowest among men who preferred alcohol (14.6%). Initiation of AAS use due to getting thinner following substance use was reported by 44.5% of the AAS using men. AAS users reported more severe substance use than non-AAS users. More than half (58%) of all patients had not been asked about AAS use, and 42.4% of those who were asked, experienced that treatment providers lacked expertise about AAS.

Conclusion: Lifetime AAS use in this sample of SUD patients is common practice and comprise an underrecognized problem in SUD treatment. Given the deleterious implications to the individual and society that concomitant use of AAS may cause, it would be essential to raise the awareness about AAS use among SUD patients, and the level of competence among health professionals.