Powerlifting is a sport which showcases the strength of a person. It consists of three events: the squat, the bench press and the deadlift. Powerlifting focuses on strength and explosive power. It usually involves a specialized training with low repetitions but high maximal weight. It also puts emphasis on explosive power. It is quite similar to weightlifting but the only difference is that powerlifting is a static sport while the latter is a dynamic one.

Of all three types of muscle fibers, powerlifters need to focus their strength training on the type IIB fibers; the most powerful but can only sustain short bursts of activity.

In the study, researchers divided the groups into three. The first group of powerlifters was comprised of those who have previously used anabolic steroids for a long time but has stopped their usage some years ago. The next group was comprised of current powerlifters without any history of steroids taking. The third group was both powerlifting and taking steroids.

Results of the study showed that those who have previously used anabolic steroids but stopped were still able to maintain the number of nuclei per muscle fiber. In fact, it was even higher compared to current steroids users. Thus, anabolic steroids are still found to be effective in increasing muscle mass even years after doping has stopped.

According to Science Daily:

A new study examines the impact of anabolic steroid use on power lifters years after the athletes had ceased to take the drugs. Researchers have found that while physical traces of the drug no longer remained, changes in the shoulder and quadriceps still gave lifters an advantage, years later.