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Excerpt
The goal of this project was to quantitatively summarize the effects of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS)s on muscular strength and body composition in healthy humans. Using the format of a meta-analysis, data from 48 studies was converted into 150 effects sizes and aggregated within 7 outcomes. In order to account for any significant variability within effect sizes, each finding was coded for 10 moderator variables. As indicated by the magnitude of the average weighted effect size, moderate positive treatment effects were observed for lean body mass (d=0.63), thigh circumference (d=0.38), bench press (d=0.59), and squat press (d=69). Small positive treatment effects were observed for body weight (d=0.32) and biceps circumference (d=0.32). No effect was found for percent body fat. The most common treatment paradigm across outcomes was a low dose of oral methandrostenolone used for a period ranging from 3 to 8 weeks. These data suggest that, in association with a weight training program, noticeable changes in muscular strength and body composition can occur with a relatively low dose of AASs. Furthermore, based upon the medium effect sizes for muscular strength, we can surmise that the majority of published studies on the topic are underpowered for the effect they are trying to measure.
