Qualitative description of the prevalence and use of anabolic androgenic steroids by United States powerlifters

Powerlifters have been suspected to be a population wherein use of anabolic androgenic steroids is prevalent (Yesalis, Herrick, & Buckley, 1988). To a ccess commentary from these athletes on issues related to these drugs and t he effectiveness of doping controls, a survey was developed. From 28 U.S. P owerlifting Team members who competed internationally since 1988, 26 were c ontacted by mail, and 15 questionnaires were returned. The questionnaire so licited yes/no responses and qualitative descriptions about current and pre vious use of anabolic androgenic steroids in powerlifting. Analysis indicat ed that ten U.S. Powerlifting Team members admitted to using these drugs, a nd five athletes admitted to beating the international Olympic Committee's doping control procedures. Reported use of anabolic androgenic steroids by these athletes was consistent with data presented by Yesalis, et al. and il lustrated continued discrepancy between admitted use of these drugs prior t o or Juring national and international events and the lack of reported posi tive test data. Discussion focused on the value of this study to elicit in an athlete's own words commentary specific to the use of anabolic androgeni c steroids and the need for more effective doping controls.