RESULTS Body cell mass was correlated with all measures of performance at baseline .
Growth hormone significantly reduced fat mass , increased lean body mass through an increase in extracellular water , and increased body cell mass in men when coadministered with testosterone .
Growth hormone supplementation influenced body composition and increased sprint capacity when administered alone and in combination with testosterone .
BACKGROUND Growth hormone is widely abused by athletes , frequently with and rogenic steroids .
Its effects on performance are unclear .
OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of growth hormone alone or with testosterone on body composition and measures of performance .
Physical Effects of Short-Term Recombinant Human Growth Hormone Administration in Abstinent Steroid Dependency
Background / Aims : Recombinant human growth hormone ( rhGH ) as opposed to cadaver pituitary GH is misused for physical improvement . Six days ’ rhGH administration , in abstinent anabolic- and rogenic steroid dependents , was compared with controls . Method : Male subjects ( n = 48 ) were r and omly divided into two groups : ( 1 ) : control group ( C ) , n = 24 , mean ± SD , age 32 ± 11 years , height 1.8 ± 0.06 m ; ( 2 ) :  rhGH-using group  ( 0.058 IU·kg–1·day–1 ) ( GH ) , n = 24 , mean ± SD , age 32 ± 9 years , height 1.8 ± 0.07 m. Physiological measurements included anthropometry , strength , power and peak oxygen uptake ( VO2 peak ) . Biochemical measurements included haemoglobin , packed cell volume , glucose , sodium , potassium , urea , creatinine , total protein , albumin , thyroid function , testosterone , prolactin , cortisol , GH and insulin-like growth factor-I ( IGF-I ) . Results : Strength , peak power output and IGF-I significantly increased and total protein , albumin and free tetra-iodothyronine significantly decreased compared to controls ( p < 0.05 ) and within the GH group ( p < 0.017 ) . Fat-free mass index and VO2 peak significantly increased , while body fat and thyroid-stimulating hormone significantly decreased within the GH group ( p < 0.017 ) . Conclusions : Short-term rhGH  increased strength and power . Of therapeutic value is the possibility that muscle bulk and strength could be increased in patients with muscle-wasting conditions
RESULTS Body cell mass was correlated with all measures of performance at baseline .
Growth hormone significantly reduced fat mass , increased lean body mass through an increase in extracellular water , and increased body cell mass in men when coadministered with testosterone .
Growth hormone supplementation influenced body composition and increased sprint capacity when administered alone and in combination with testosterone .
BACKGROUND Growth hormone is widely abused by athletes , frequently with and rogenic steroids .
Its effects on performance are unclear .
OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of growth hormone alone or with testosterone on body composition and measures of performance .