Anabolic steroids are synthetic hormones which are derivatives of testosterone. These compounds are commonly used for strength training rather than endurance. This makes anabolic steroids an ideal supplement for powerlifting. Powerlifting is a sport which requires great muscular strength and involves lifting of a heavy dumbbell to perform squats, bench presses and deadlifts in three repetitions. It is more of a static sport unlike weightlifting which is a dynamic one.

A team of researchers from the Umea University in Sweden conducted a study on the impact of anabolic steroids use years after powerlifters stopped taking the drugs.

The study involved three groups of powerlifters. One group was composed of previous anabolic steroid users but has already stopped years after. The second group was composed of non-anabolic steroids users. The last group was composed of current steroid users who are currently powerlifting. The researchers then examined two key muscles in powerlifting, the vastus lateralis and the trapezius muscles.

Researchers discovered a significant increase in number of nuclei per muscle fiber in the first group. This means that their muscles still have the capacity to synthesize more proteins to increase muscle mass despite stopping from anabolic use. The researchers concluded that anabolic steroids are still beneficial to powerlifting even after years of stopping.

According to Science Daily:

A new study examines the impact of anabolic steroid use on power lifters years after the athletes had ceased to take the drugs. Researchers have found that while physical traces of the drug no longer remained, changes in the shoulder and quadriceps still gave lifters an advantage, years later.

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