Disorder of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis induced by abusing of anabolic-androgenic steroids for short time: A case report.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis functionality on a bodybuilding competitioner before, during and after the use of anabolic-androgenic steroids. A young healthy man was followed up for 4 months. The subject reported his drug administration protocol through periodic interviews and performed laboratory tests to monitor the function of his hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Time 1 (before the steroids use) shows all hormones levels (follicle-stimulating hormone = 4,2 mUI/ml, luteinising hormone = 3,7 mUI/ml and total testosterone = 5,7 ng/ml) within reference values. In Time 2, after 8 weeks on steroids abuse, a complete hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis derangement is evident with noticeable negative feedback (follicle-stimulating hormone = 1,47 mUI/ml, luteinising hormone = 0,1 mUI/ml and total testosterone = 1,47 ng/ml). At the third moment (40 days after Time 2), we can see a tendency to recovery, however, the serum levels of the investigated hormones were still considerably lower than the baseline values. At the end, we could conclude that the use of anabolic-androgenic steroids, at supraphysiological dosages, even for a short time (8 weeks), causes severe disorder in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. The endogenous testosterone synthesis was severely compromised by important decline in serum luteinising hormone levels.

Rationale and methods of a cluster-randomized controlled trial to promote active and healthy lifestyles among Brazilian students: the "Fortaleça sua Saúde" program.

BACKGROUND: Interventions on adolescents' lifestyle are important, but the main mechanisms that explain the changes (mediating variables) on lifestyle are unclear. This paper presents the rationale and methods of an intervention program focused on promoting active and healthy lifestyles (especially physical activity [PA] practice and reducing screen time) among Brazilian students-the Fortaleça sua Saúde program (Portuguese for "strengthen your health"). METHODS/DESIGN: This is a school-based cluster-randomized controlled trial. Three intervention and three control (no intervention) full-time public schools were randomly selected in Fortaleza, northeastern Brazil. Students (n = 1,272) from classes in Grades 7-9 were eligible, and 1,085 (548 in the intervention and 537 in control schools) completed the baseline and follow-up measures. The program duration was approximately four months and took place in 2014. Intervention strategies focused on teacher training, activities on health in the curriculum, active opportunities in the school environment (the availability of equipment for PA), and health education (health materials for students and parents). Data collection was undertaken before and immediately after the intervention. The primary variables included the practice of PA (weekly PA volume, PA behavior change stage and preference for PA during leisure-time) and screen time (TV and computer/video games). Potential intrapersonal, interpersonal and environmental mediators of PA and screen time were evaluated by a standardized questionnaire. Other lifestyle components (e.g., eating habits, substance use), psychological (e.g., self-rated health, body satisfaction) and biological (general and abdominal obesity) aspects, as well as academic performance were also evaluated in the total sample. Depressive symptoms, eating disorders, sleep quality, objectively-measured PA, and sedentary time were evaluated in obese students. DISCUSSION: If effective, this program will contribute to the development of public policies for the promotion of active and healthy lifestyles in youth, especially those from low- and middle-income countries. The main intrapersonal, interpersonal and/or environmental mediators of PA and screen time may also be indicated. Finally, we anticipate that the proposed strategies may be adaptable to public schools and may even be extended to the entire school system. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.Gov: NCT02439827 . Registration date: May 3, 2015.

Práticas esportivas e recreativas em adolescentes com excesso de peso: análise da composição corporal e do desempenho motor / Sports and recreational activities in overweight adolescents: analyze of body composition and motor performance

Este estudo analisou o impacto de atividades esportivas e recreativas na composição corporal e no desempenho motor de adolescentes com excesso de peso. Vinte e dois adolescentes (13 no Grupo Esportivo e 9 no Grupo Recreativo) foram selecionados por conveniência para participar de 3 sessões semanais com 60 minutos de atividades específicas para cada grupo, durante 11 meses. A composição corporal e o desempenho motor foram avaliados antes e após os programas. Verificou-se nos adolescentes do Grupo Esportivo e Recreativo redução na dobra cutânea subescapular (12,55% e 14,65%), soma das dobras cutâneas (12,39% e 14,52%) e percentual de gordura corporal (11,52% e 7,58%), bem como aumento na massa corporal magra (7,85% e 9,45%) após os programas de exercício físico. Todas as variáveis do desempenho motor também apresentaram alterações significativas (p<0,05). Evidenciou-se que práticas esportivas e recreativas ocasionaram alterações positivas na composição corporal e no desempenho motor dos adolescentes.

This study examined the impact of sports and recreational activities on body composition and motor performance of overweight adolescents. Twenty-two adolescents (13 in Sports and 9 in Recreation) were selected for convenience to participate in 3 weekly sessions with 60 minutes of specific activities for each group, during 11 months. The body composition and motor performance were assessed before and after the programs. It was verified in Sports and Recreation adolescents the reduction in subscapular skinfold thickness (12.55% and 14.65%), sum of skinfolds thickness (12.39% and 14.52%) and percentage body fat (11.52% and 7.58%) and increase in lean body mass (7.85% and 9.45%) after physical exercise programs. All variables of motor performance also showed significant changes (p<0.05). It was evidenced that sports and recreational caused positive changes in body composition and motor performance of adolescents.