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Published on: March 2, 2011
Intrasexual competition as a potential influence on anabolic-androgenic steroid use initiation
Marc Harris1, Michael Dunn1, Tina Alwyn1
1Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK.
Abstract:
An estimated 293,000 people living in the United Kingdom have used anabolic-androgenic steroids. However, there is currently no intervention to reduce usage available in practice or academic circulation throughout the United Kingdom. This study aimed to test a novel hypothesis that increased levels of intrasexual competition may play an important influential role in the use of anabolic-androgenic steroids. Significantly higher levels of intrasexual competition were evident in users compared to non-users but only in the novice group (0-2 years of experience). The research provides evidence for intrasexual competition potentially influencing anabolic-androgenic steroid use but only during the initial stages of usage.
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