Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: In recent years, the growing emphasis on fitness and bodybuilding has led to an increase in gym attendance across India. While regular exercise promotes overall health and well-being, there is a rising concern regarding the misuse of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) among gym users. This descriptive study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes regarding steroid usage among gym users in Coimbatore. A non-experimental descriptive research design was employed, and data were collected from 60 gym users through a structured questionnaire. Participants were selected using a non-probability convenience sampling technique. The questionnaire included demographic details, knowledge assessment, and attitudes measured using a Likert scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings revealed that the majority of participants were male (83.3%), aged between 20-30 years (63.3%), and undergraduate students (80%). More than half (55%) had an average level of knowledge about steroids, while 45% had good knowledge, and none had poor knowledge. Attitude assessment showed that 66.7% had a positive attitude towards steroid usage, while 33.3% exhibited a neutral stance. A weak positive correlation (r = 0.165) between knowledge and attitude was observed. A significant association was found between the type of exercise performed and the level of knowledge regarding steroids (Chi-square = 6.711, df =2, p
Language: English
Topic: Doping in Sports
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4409068187