RESISTANCE TRAINED ATHLETES USING OR NOT USING ANABOLIC-STEROIDS COMPARED TO RUNNERS - EFFECTS ON CARDIORESPIRATORY VARIABLES, BODY-COMPOSITION, AND PLASMA-LIPIDS

Objective-To determine whether there is a difference in cardiac size a nd function as well as in body composition, aerobic capacity, and bloo d lipids between resistance trained athletes who use anabolic steroids and those who do not, and to compare them to university cross country athletes. Methods-Four groups of men were evaluated: recreational lif ters, n = 11, lifting < 10 h . week(-1); heavy lifters, n = 16, liftin g > 10 h . week(-1); steroid users, n = 8, same as heavy lifters and u sed steroids; runners, n = 8, university track members. Echocardiogram s, body composition (hydrostatic weighing), maximum oxygen consumption (Vo(2)), and lipids were studied. Results-As expected, Vo(2) (ml . kg (-1). min(-1)), was greatest in the runners, with no difference among the lifting groups. High density lipoprotein cholesterol in the steroi d user group was lower than in heavy lifters or runners. Left ventricu lar internal diastolic dimension was similar among the groups. The lef t ventricular mass index of the steroid user group was significantly g reater than recreational lifters, at 161 v 103. There was no differenc e among heavy Lifters (127), runners (124), and steroid users. There w as no compromise in diastolic function in any group. There were no dif ferences among groups in resting or exercise blood pressure. Conclusio ns-Resistance training in the absence of steroid use results in the sa me positive effects on cardiac dimensions, diastolic function, and blo od lipids as aerobic training.