THE DOSE–ADAPTATION IMBALANCE MODEL OF ANABOLIC STEROID MISUSE: CHEMICAL DOSE ESCALATION, TRAINING RISK, AND BODYBUILDING-RELATED PERFORMANCE

Anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) misuse is common among strength-trained athletes, yet there is no simple, shared explanation linking chemical dose to training-related injury and health risk. This study aimed to present a simple and practical “Dose–Adaptation Imbalance Model” that explains how increasing steroid dose affects muscle growth, body adaptation, and training safety. A cross-sectional analytical approach was used, based on secondary numerical data from published clinical and sports science studies. Reported AAS doses were grouped into low, moderate, and high misuse levels and examined in relation to biochemical changes and training-related outcomes. Higher steroid doses (>600 mg/week) were associated with rapid muscle gains that exceeded the body’s ability to adapt safely. This imbalance was linked to reduced HDL cholesterol (up to 50%), strong suppression of natural testosterone (up to 70%), increased injury risk, and disturbed training continuity. The model shows that steroid-related harm is not accidental but predictable when muscle growth outpaces whole-body adaptation. This simple approach explains dose-related risk without experimental exposure and supports safer decision-making in sports science and training contexts.