
Athletes Training and Learning to Avoid Steroids (ATLAS)
Blueprints Program Rating: Promising
A drug prevention and health promotion program that deters substance use among high school adolescents in school sponsored athletics by educating youth on the harms of anabolic steroids, alcohol, and other drug use and by promoting sports nutrition and exercise.
Program Outcomes
- Alcohol
- Illicit Drug Use
- Physical Health and Well-Being
Program Type
- After School
- Skills Training
Program Setting
- School
Continuum of Intervention
- Universal Prevention (Entire Population)
Age
- Late Adolescence (15-18) - High School
Gender
- Male only
Race/Ethnicity
- White
Endorsements
- : Promising
- : Promising
- : Promising
- : 2.9-3.0
Program Information Contact
Center for Health Promotion Research
Oregon Health & Science University
3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, CR110
Portland, OR 97201-3098
Phone: (503) 494-8051
Email: chpr@ohsu.edu
www.atlasprogram.com
Program Developer/Owner
- Linn Goldberg, M.D., F.A.C.S.M.
- Oregon Health Sciences University
Brief Description of the Program
Athletes Training and Learning to Avoid Steroids (ATLAS) is a drug prevention and health promotion program for adolescent high school athletes that emphasizes the negative impact of anabolic steroids, alcohol, and other drugs on immediate sports performance. The program is integrated into team practice sessions and consists of a seven-session classroom curriculum and seven weight room skill training sessions. Coaching staff or surrogates administer the classroom curriculum which includes subjects such as risk factors of steroid use, strength training and sports nutrition, as well as skills to refuse steroids and other substances. In addition, nutritional recommendations and false claims of over the counter supplements are discussed. Parents attend a single evening meeting centered on program goals.
See: Full Description
Outcomes
Drug Use Intentions and Behaviors
- Decreased likelihood of lifetime steroid use at posttest and one-year follow-up, but differences not significant.
- Decreased likelihood of alcohol and other drug use at the one-year follow-up.
- Decreased likelihood of new occurrences of drinking and driving at one-year follow-up.
Health Promotion Behaviors found at posttest and one-year follow-up:
- Heightened perception of coach intolerance to drug use.
- Improved nutrition knowledge and behaviors.
- Enhanced strength training self-efficacy.
- Less likely to believe advertisements for sports supplements and positive steroid use images.
- Reduction in sport supplement use at one-year follow-up.
Significant Program Effects on Risk and Protective Factors:
- Greater self-reported ability to refuse drug offers from peers.
- Greater knowledge of the effects of steroids and alcohol.
- Stronger beliefs about the harmful effects of anabolic steroid use and perceived greater susceptibility to their effects.
Race/Ethnicity/Gender Details
ATLAS was implemented with a largely white, middle-class population. No data is currently available regarding the program's effectiveness with other more racially and socioeconomically diverse groups.