What substances are professional wrestlers likely to abuse when checked for doping, such as testosterone (anabolic steroid) and nandrolone (synthetic anabolic steroid)?

Anabolic Steroid Abuse in Professional Wrestling

Nandrolone is the substance most likely to be abused by professional wrestlers when checked for doping. 1

Common Performance-Enhancing Substances in Wrestling

Professional wrestlers commonly abuse anabolic steroids to enhance their performance and physical appearance. Based on the evidence, the following substances are most commonly abused:

1. Nandrolone - A synthetic anabolic steroid specifically highlighted in wrestling:

   • Particularly prevalent in weight category sports like wrestling 1
   • Has similar effects to testosterone but with distinct properties and a different detection profile 1
   • Evidence shows systematic doping with nandrolone in wrestling 1

2. Testosterone - While commonly abused in sports generally:

   • Used for increasing muscle mass, strength, and athletic performance 1
   • Banned by most sports organizations and the World Anti-Doping Agency 1
   • Less commonly the primary substance in wrestling compared to nandrolone 1

Why Nandrolone is Preferred in Wrestling

Nandrolone is particularly favored in professional wrestling for several reasons:

• Different detection profile compared to testosterone, potentially making it harder to detect in some testing protocols 1
• Effective for building muscle mass while potentially having a different risk-benefit profile 2
• Particularly prevalent in weight category sports like wrestling where systematic doping has been reported 1

Health Risks and Detection

Athletes abusing these substances face significant health risks:

• Cardiovascular complications including hypertension 1
• Psychiatric effects including mood changes and aggression 1, 3
• Reproductive system effects including testicular atrophy 1, 3
• Liver dysfunction, especially with oral preparations 3
• Long-term health consequences that may not appear for decades 3

Clinical Signs of Anabolic Steroid Abuse

Healthcare providers should watch for:

• Rapid muscle development
• Unexplained hypertension
• Mood changes
• Testicular atrophy
• Acne and male pattern baldness 1

Important Considerations

• Current doping regimens often involve combinations of injectable and oral preparations at doses 10-40 times greater than therapeutic doses 3
• Anti-doping violations in wrestling also include use of diuretics to make weight 1
• Failing to recognize signs of anabolic steroid use can lead to misdiagnosis and inadequate treatment 1
• The abuse of anabolic steroids has expanded from sports to become a broader public health concern 2

The American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology emphasize the importance of education about these serious health risks, as anabolic steroid abuse can lead to significant long-term health consequences 1.