Research Summary
In a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled design, 16 subjects received weekly intramuscular injections containing 200 milligrams nandrolone decanoate (ND) or placebo. Composition of total body and body parts was assessed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), skinfolds and circumferences. Measurements were performed at baseline, after eight weeks of ND administration and six weeks after drug withdrawal. DEXA revealed that total body mass increased about 7 pounds and bone-free lean mass increased by the same amount. Six weeks after drug cessation, bone-free lean mass was still increased compared to baseline levels. During ND administration, significant increments of bone-free lean mass of the trunk (+ 2.03 kg) and legs (+ 1.08 kg) could be observed.
Percentage fat of the legs decreased during the drug intervention period (-1.9%) and remained lowered six weeks after drug withdrawal. No alteration in any variable of the arms was observed. Skinfolds did not change during the entire study period in both groups. After eight weeks of ND administration, circumference of the neck was increased (+0.9 cm) significantly, although all circumferences underwent non-significant gains.
In conclusion, the intramuscular administration of ND (200 mg per week) during eight weeks induced an increase of bodyweight and bone-free lean body mass in bodybuilders that was mainly situated in the trunk and legs as determined by DEXA. The changes in the trunk were reflected in the circumferences, but not the alterations in the legs. Skinfolds were not able to detect changes in fat mass of body parts. DEXA revealed that total fat mass and total percentage fat remained unaffected by drug administration, while percentage fat of the legs decreased and remained lowered after drug cessation.
Discussion
This story is from the December 2021 edition of Muscular Development.
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