A double-blind crossover trial of methandienone (Dianabol, CIBA) in moderate dosage on highly trained experienced athletes.

Objective evidence of their efficacy and safety is sparse and contradictory,(Fowler et al., 1965,Johnson et al., 1969, O'Shea 1971, Casner et al., 1971, Johnson et al., 1972) and there is a considerable placebo effect, (Ariel and Saville, 1972). Against this background we designed a double-blind crossover trial using methandienone (Dianabol) in doses of 10 mg/day or 25 mg/day, using only highly-trained male athletes as our subjects. We thus hoped to resolve the controversy in the literature, and find clear answers to the two crucial questions: a) do anabolic steroids benefit athletic performance? b) what are their side-effects in this situation?