Investigating the impact of COVID-19 on performance and image enhancing drug use

Abstract Background Emerging research has suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic has had some impact on substance use patterns. The aim of the study was to conduct a rapid survey to assess the impact of COVID-19 on performance and image enhancing drug (PIED) use and training, and any subsequent negati...

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Autores principales:	Matthew Dunn, Timothy Piatkowski
Formato:	article
Lenguaje:	EN
Publicado:	BMC 2021
Materias:	Steroids Anabolic–androgenic steroids COVID-19 Performance and image enhancing drug use Exercise Public aspects of medicine RA1-1270
Acceso en línea:	https://doaj.org/article/fa1c0ba1b6f541f3a66337378bc44466
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spelling	oai:doaj.org-article:fa1c0ba1b6f541f3a66337378bc444662021-12-05T12:17:50ZInvestigating the impact of COVID-19 on performance and image enhancing drug use10.1186/s12954-021-00571-81477-7517https://doaj.org/article/fa1c0ba1b6f541f3a66337378bc444662021-12-01T00:00:00Zhttps://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-021-00571-8https://doaj.org/toc/1477-7517Abstract Background Emerging research has suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic has had some impact on substance use patterns. The aim of the study was to conduct a rapid survey to assess the impact of COVID-19 on performance and image enhancing drug (PIED) use and training, and any subsequent negative physical or mental health outcomes. Methods During 2020, a convenience sample of 60 PIED consumers (mean age = 26.69; 68.3% located outside Australia) completed a quantitative anonymous online survey exploring how the coronavirus pandemic impacted patterns of PIED use and associated exercise habits. The survey was administered via the Qualtrics platform and distributed online through PIED forums as well as through the investigators’ networks. Participants were asked about their PIED use and exercise habits prior to and during restricted movement ‘lockdowns’. Results During pre-COVID, the majority of the sample opted to ‘blast-cruise’ (an initial high dose, followed by a lower maintenance dose; 71.7%, n = 43). During lockdown, 45% (n = 27) reported a change in PIED use as a result of the restrictions. In light of health concerns during COVID-19, a majority of men (60%, n = 36) did not take any extra precautions relating to their PIED use. A subgroup of men ceased using PIEDs completely (16.7%, n = 10) with the majority (80%, n = 8) of that subgroup following post-cycle therapy (PCT) of some kind. Only a small proportion of the sample reported negative mental health issues as a result of PCT access issues. Conclusions This study contributes to the emerging literature of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on substance use, specifically PIED use among men. The results suggest that the pandemic did influence the choice of PIEDs that participants consumed, although there was little disruption to patterns of exercise, an important aspect of PIED use. Of the men who did cease use completely, the majority reported little issue with PCT access; those who reported difficulty accessing PCT compounds indicated experience some mental health concerns related to ceasing their PIED use. Clinicians and those who come into contact with this group should be alert for any negative physical or mental health concerns resulting from disrupted or ceased PIED use.Matthew DunnTimothy PiatkowskiBMCarticleSteroidsAnabolic–androgenic steroidsCOVID-19Performance and image enhancing drug useExercisePublic aspects of medicineRA1-1270ENHarm Reduction Journal, Vol 18, Iss 1, Pp 1-8 (2021)
institution	DOAJ
collection	DOAJ
language	EN
topic	Steroids Anabolic–androgenic steroids COVID-19 Performance and image enhancing drug use Exercise Public aspects of medicine RA1-1270
spellingShingle	Steroids Anabolic–androgenic steroids COVID-19 Performance and image enhancing drug use Exercise Public aspects of medicine RA1-1270 Matthew Dunn Timothy Piatkowski Investigating the impact of COVID-19 on performance and image enhancing drug use
description	Abstract Background Emerging research has suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic has had some impact on substance use patterns. The aim of the study was to conduct a rapid survey to assess the impact of COVID-19 on performance and image enhancing drug (PIED) use and training, and any subsequent negative physical or mental health outcomes. Methods During 2020, a convenience sample of 60 PIED consumers (mean age = 26.69; 68.3% located outside Australia) completed a quantitative anonymous online survey exploring how the coronavirus pandemic impacted patterns of PIED use and associated exercise habits. The survey was administered via the Qualtrics platform and distributed online through PIED forums as well as through the investigators’ networks. Participants were asked about their PIED use and exercise habits prior to and during restricted movement ‘lockdowns’. Results During pre-COVID, the majority of the sample opted to ‘blast-cruise’ (an initial high dose, followed by a lower maintenance dose; 71.7%, n = 43). During lockdown, 45% (n = 27) reported a change in PIED use as a result of the restrictions. In light of health concerns during COVID-19, a majority of men (60%, n = 36) did not take any extra precautions relating to their PIED use. A subgroup of men ceased using PIEDs completely (16.7%, n = 10) with the majority (80%, n = 8) of that subgroup following post-cycle therapy (PCT) of some kind. Only a small proportion of the sample reported negative mental health issues as a result of PCT access issues. Conclusions This study contributes to the emerging literature of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on substance use, specifically PIED use among men. The results suggest that the pandemic did influence the choice of PIEDs that participants consumed, although there was little disruption to patterns of exercise, an important aspect of PIED use. Of the men who did cease use completely, the majority reported little issue with PCT access; those who reported difficulty accessing PCT compounds indicated experience some mental health concerns related to ceasing their PIED use. Clinicians and those who come into contact with this group should be alert for any negative physical or mental health concerns resulting from disrupted or ceased PIED use.
format	article
author	Matthew Dunn Timothy Piatkowski
author_facet	Matthew Dunn Timothy Piatkowski
author_sort	Matthew Dunn
title	Investigating the impact of COVID-19 on performance and image enhancing drug use
title_short	Investigating the impact of COVID-19 on performance and image enhancing drug use
title_full	Investigating the impact of COVID-19 on performance and image enhancing drug use
title_fullStr	Investigating the impact of COVID-19 on performance and image enhancing drug use
title_full_unstemmed	Investigating the impact of COVID-19 on performance and image enhancing drug use
title_sort	investigating the impact of covid-19 on performance and image enhancing drug use
publisher	BMC
publishDate	2021
url	https://doaj.org/article/fa1c0ba1b6f541f3a66337378bc44466
work_keys_str_mv	AT matthewdunn investigatingtheimpactofcovid19onperformanceandimageenhancingdruguse AT timothypiatkowski investigatingtheimpactofcovid19onperformanceandimageenhancingdruguse
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Investigating the impact of COVID-19 on performance and image enhancing drug use

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