Contextualization

Anabolic steroids, better known as anabolics, are synthetic substances similar to the male sex hormone, testosterone. They have a number of effects on the human body, both in terms of their masculinizing properties (e.g., increased body hair and a deepening of the voice) and anabolic properties (increased muscle mass). While these effects may seem interesting at first glance, the abuse of anabolic steroids can result in a number of negative side effects, including liver damage, mental changes, and even death.

Steroids are regularly used in a medical context to treat a number of health conditions. However, their non-medical use is strictly controlled due to the risk of abuse and the range of negative side effects that can arise. Despite this, many people continue to use anabolic steroids irresponsibly, with the aim of improving athletic performance or physical appearance.

Introduction

The use of steroids and anabolics has gained significant prominence in recent decades, mainly due to scandals involving high-performance athletes and also due to their frequent use by bodybuilders, who seek quick and increased results. In this project, we will explore these substances in more depth, how they work in the body, the consequences of their use (both benefits and harms), and the legislation involving the control of their sale and use.

We hope that, by the end of the project, you will be able to better understand the impact that these substances can have on human health and be able to make more informed decisions in your lives. Furthermore, we believe that this is an opportunity to practice teamwork and critical thinking.

To assist in this study, we suggest the following sources:

• Anvisa website (National Health Surveillance Agency) - Anabolic Steroids
• Article by Dr. Dráuzio Varella - Use of anabolics
• Video from the YouTube channel "Nerdologia" - What anabolics really do to your body

Practical Activity ## Activity Title: Demystifying Steroids and Anabolics

Project Objective:

1. Understand what steroids and anabolics are, how they work in the human body, and the impacts on health and physical performance.
2. Develop research, critical analysis, and effective group communication skills.

Detailed Project Description:

In this project, your group must research and develop a multimedia presentation in a format of your choice (e.g., video, podcast, slide presentation, website, etc.) that addresses the central topics below. The presentation should contain technical information, but be understandable for high school students. You should be able to explain the concepts clearly and engagingly to your classmates.

The central topics to be addressed are as follows:

1. What are steroids and anabolics?
2. How do they work in the body?
3. What are the short- and long-term health consequences of their use?
4. What legislation is involved in controlling their sale and use?
5. Interview with a professional in the field (doctor, nutritionist, personal trainer, etc.).

Required Materials:

1. Internet access for research.
2. Equipment for recording and/or editing video, audio, or images, according to the format chosen for the presentation.
3. Online communication channel for team meetings and planning.

Detailed Step-by-Step:

1. Organize your group of 3 to 5 people and delegate the responsibilities that each member will have in the project.
2. Conduct an initial survey on the proposed topics. Use the sources suggested in the introduction and seek out other reliable sources.
3. Outline the script for your presentation, defining how you will approach each central topic.
4. Research and contact a professional in the field for an interview. Prepare the questions in advance based on what you have learned during your research.
5. Gather all the information and organize it in a logical and engaging way for your presentation.
6. Record/edit your presentation according to the chosen format.
7. Review the final work together before submitting it.

Project Deliverables:

• Multimedia presentation (video, podcast, slide presentation, website, etc.).
• Report document containing the parts: Introduction, Development, Conclusions, and Bibliography used.

In this report, introduce the topic and relevance of the project, explain the research and production method of the presentation, discuss the results of your findings, and explain what you learned from this project. Include all references used and remember to cite the interview conducted. It is essential that the presentation and report are connected, presenting cohesion in the concepts and findings.