Project Outline: Anabolic Steroids and Cardiovascular Health Risks

This project outline investigates the cardiovascular risks associated with long-term anabolic steroid (AS) use, particularly in sportspersons seeking performance enhancement. The abstract highlights the controversial link between high-dose AS and cardiovascular consequences such as endothelial dysfunction and left ventricular hypertrophy. The project aims to explore this relationship further through a systematic literature review, utilizing qualitative research methods to analyze existing research on AS's impact on heart health. The search strategy involves a comprehensive review of peer-reviewed articles from 2006 to 2018, focusing on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The research design employs secondary research and a systematic literature review to gather and analyze data, with thematic analysis used to draw conclusions. Keywords such as "anabolic steroids and cardiovascular health" guide the search, and the project intends to contribute to a clearer understanding of the health risks related to AS use. The project outlines the methodology for data collection and analysis, emphasizing the importance of a systematic approach to answer the project aim and evaluate search outcomes, ultimately contributing to the existing knowledge on the negative effects of AS on cardiovascular health.

Running head: A SHORT ABSTRACT AND A PROJECT OUTLINE
A short abstract and a project outline
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

1A SHORT ABSTRACT AND A PROJECT OUTLINE
Abstract
Among all the drugs, anabolic steroids (AS) are widely used that are purported to
improve performance in sports. In the recent times, high-dose AS are associated with serious
cardiovascular consequences like endothelial dysfunction and concentric left ventricular
hypertrophy, however, the fact remains controversial. The negative effect of AS on
cardiovascular system is poorly understood in humans. The possibilities are direct effects on
endothelial cells and myocytes with reduction in intracellular Ca+ levels, increased apoptogenic
factors release and increase in collagen crosslink between the myocytes (Angell et al. 2012).
Novel technologies are required to study AS link to cardiovascular health consequences so that
there is accurate and clear health message regarding AS use for performance enhancement.
Project outline
Introduction
Long-term steroid use has permanent impact on cardiovascular health. AS are used to
delay puberty, however it is used to increase muscle strength and size having negative health
effects. Non- therapeutic use of AS has been associated with adverse health effects like direct
cardiovascular effects are warranted. A cohort study conducted by Thiblin et al. (2015) showed
that, AS exposure is associated with severe consequences and an independent risk factor to
premature death and cardiovascular morbidity. Therefore, the project will focus on the
cardiovascular risk associated with long-term AS use in sportsperson for improving performance.

2A SHORT ABSTRACT AND A PROJECT OUTLINE
Search Strategy
Literature review will be conducted for the project that would be helpful in gaining an
insight into effects of AS on cardiovascular health. This research method will be useful in
fulfilling the aim of the project so that one reaches to a conclusion that matches project aims.
This design sought to investigate the available literature that would be helpful in understanding
the mechanism of AS in performance enhancement and consequences of long-tem use on cardiac
health.
Research design
Qualitative research method is appropriate for the current project as it is exploratory in
nature bringing together the relevant literature that aligns with the project aim. This method is
beneficial as the responses explored during systematic literature review would be helpful in
analysing the long-term negative effects of AS by further categorizing the findings into themes
aligning with the aim of the project.
Research strategy
Secondary research and systematic literature review will be employed in the project that
comprises of vast pool of existing literature on AS use and its effects on heart health.
Data collection and analysis
The information is gathered in a systematic fashion that is based on variables of interest
enabling to answer the project aim and evaluate search outcomes. In the current project, review
will clearly address the aim and explicit methods like publications can help in providing updated
information on AS use and its effects on human body.

3A SHORT ABSTRACT AND A PROJECT OUTLINE
Keywords
Keywords Subject Headings
Anabolic steroids and heart
health
Anabolic steroids and
performance
Anabolic steroids and
cardiovascular health
Anabolic steroid use and
performance enhancement
Negative effects of AS on
cardiovascular health
Effects of long-term anabolic
steroid use
Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Initial Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
Inclusion Exclusion
Primary study (without reviews)
Articles that explore effects of AS on human
body
Articles published in peer-reviewed journals
Editorials or reviews
Language: English Published in foreign languages
Year of publication: 2006 to 2018 Older than 2006
Peer reviewed journal articles Unpublished manuscripts and abstracts
Book chapters
Case studies
Dissertation

4A SHORT ABSTRACT AND A PROJECT OUTLINE
Case studies
Research methods: Qualitative
Data collection
After conducting search by entering keywords on search bar of databases, full text
articles will be retrieved that are relevant to the project aim.
Data analysis
After analysing the retrieved articles, themes will be drawn from them and thematic
analysis will be performed that aligns and fulfil the project aim.

5A SHORT ABSTRACT AND A PROJECT OUTLINE
References
Angell, P., Chester, N., Green, D., Somauroo, J., Whyte, G. and George, K., 2012. Anabolic
steroids and cardiovascular risk. Sports medicine, 42(2), pp.119-134.
Thiblin, I., Garmo, H., Garle, M., Holmberg, L., Byberg, L., Michaëlsson, K. and Gedeborg, R.,
2015. Anabolic steroids and cardiovascular risk: a national population-based cohort study. Drug
and alcohol dependence, 152, pp.87-92.