The Effect of Anabolic Steroid Education on Knowledge and Attitudes of At-Risk Preadolescents

The present study investigated the effect of anabolic steroid education on preadolescents' knowledge of and attitudes toward anabolic steroids using an experimental, pre-test/post-test control group design. A total of 35 male athlete volunteers between the ages of 9 and 12 were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. After pre-testing both groups, students in the experimental group were exposed to a total of six, 30 minute sessions, over two weeks. Sessions offered information on both psychological and physiological aspects of anabolic steroid use, weight training techniques, nutrition, social decision-making, and self-esteem training. Upon completion of the sessions, post-tests were administered. Students who participated in the experimental group demonstrated significantly more knowledge of anabolic steroids and substantially stronger attitudes against using anabolic steroids in the future. Results of the present study underscore a need for a prevention program specifically targeting anabolic steroid use in at-risk preadolescent athletes.