de Almeida FN, da Cunha Nascimento D, Moura RF, Peixoto DL, de Moraes WMAM, Schoenfeld BJ, Neto IVDS, Prestes J. Training, Pharmacological Ergogenic Aids, Dehydration, and Nutrition Strategies during a Peak Week in Competitive Brazilian Bodybuilders: An Observational Cross-Sectional Study in a Non-World Anti-Doping Agency Competitive Environment.
Sports (Basel) 2023;
12:11. [PMID:
38251285 PMCID:
PMC10819153 DOI:
10.3390/sports12010011]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
this observational and cross-sectional study aimed to describe training, pharmacological ergogenic aids, dehydration, and nutrition strategies during a peak week in competitive bodybuilders and monitor changes that occurred across this period.
METHODS
Ten amateur bodybuilders were followed during a peak week phase and one day post-contest. Training, diet, dehydration protocol, anabolic steroid use, and nonsteroidal agents were recorded, prescribed, and supervised by the same coach in charge. Body composition, resting metabolic rate, and circumferences were assessed by the research team.
RESULTS
Overall, during the peak week phase, the use of anabolic steroids, diuretics, and other pharmacological aids was high among athletes, and the dose and frequency were similar between competitors. Despite the use of supraphysiological doses of drugs, bodybuilders displayed a statistical reduction of lean mass markers, resting metabolic rate, and fat mass markers, possibly influenced by the performance of high volumes of aerobic exercise combined with dietary energy restriction.
CONCLUSIONS
The main findings of this study display that the coach in charge of Brazilian bodybuilders applied the same anabolic steroid, diuretic, and other pharmacological protocols for all competitors. Moreover, the protocols employed by bodybuilders did not fully attenuate the loss of lean mass during the peak week period.
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