Topic: Alcohol/Drugs/Tobacco, Nutrition/Diet, Physical Activity, Media Literacy
Target Population: Adolescents
Sector: School-Based
This program is for male high school athletes.
Athletes Training and Learning to Avoid Steroids (ATLAS), a school-based program, is designed to prevent participant's use of anabolic steroids, other illegal drugs, and alcohol.
Results of a randomized controlled evaluation suggest various positive outcomes associated with participation in the ATLAS program. Compared to members of a control group, participants in ATLAS reported less intent to use steroids, more knowledge of the negative effects of steroid use, better nutritional behaviors, and less substance use. Follow-up studies revealed that these effects lasted as much as a year after participants began the program. However, no evidence was found for long-term effects on actual steroid use. A quasi-experimental study was conducted in Australia among a group of non-athletes. Results of a 3-month follow-up indicated no effect of the program on functional body satisfaction, aesthetic body satisfaction, body esteem, drive for muscularity, substance and supplement attitudes, or use of anabolic steroids and other appearance- and performance-enhancing drugs.
The ATLAS program intends to educate participants about the harmful effects of anabolic steroids and other drugs and sport supplements and instruct participants on how to reach their athletic goals by practicing proper nutrition and exercise habits. Lessons cover the following topics:
The ATLAS program has been implemented with more than 50,000 high school football players in the United States.
This program is facilitated by coaches, strength trainers, and peer squad leaders. The Coach Instructor Package includes a coach training DVD and a squad leader training DVD and CD and costs $280. A Squad Leader Package costs $11; and an Athlete Package costs $11. These packages include training materials, curricula, and workbooks. Onsite training is also available. Please use details in the Contact section for more information.
Considerations for implementing this program include securing administrative support and buy-in, acquiring facilitators who have a suitable background and offering them training and training supplies, obtaining participant buy-in, and making time for sessions.
The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
If you are interested in implementing ATLAS, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you!
Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
ATLAS is implemented in 10-weekly 45-minute sessions.
Implementation materials include a Coach Instructor Package that costs $280; a Squad Leader Package costs $11; an Athlete Package costs $11.
To move ATLAS to the Promising category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence, at least one evaluation should be performed that demonstrates positive outcomes lasting at least one year from the beginning of the program or at least six months from program completion.
The Clearinghouse can help you to develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program.
Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: Clearinghouse@psu.edu
You may also contact Linn Goldberg by phone 1-503-494-8051 or email goldberl@ohsu.edu, or Diane Elliot by phone 1-503-494-6554 or email elliotd@ohsu.edu, or Michelle Otis by phone 1-503-494-4166 or email steinerm@ohsu.edu
https://www.cde.state.co.us/healthandwellness/mhrb/mjrbatlas, https://www.blueprintsprograms.org/programs/64999999/athletes-training-and-learning-to-avoid-steroids-atlas/print/, https://crimesolutions.ojp.gov/ratedprograms/74, https://www.dchealthmatters.org/promisepractice/index/view?pid=657 and Yager, McLean, and Li (2019).
Fritz, M. S., MacKinnon, D. P., Williams, J., Goldberg, L., Moe, E. L., & Elliot, D. L. (2005). Analysis of baseline by treatment interactions in a drug prevention and health promotion program for high school male athletes. Addictive Behaviors, 30(5), 1001-1005. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2004.08.030
Goldberg, L., Elliot, D., Clarke, G. N., MacKinnon, D. P., Moe, E., Zoref, L., … Lapin, A. (1996). Effects of a multidimensional anabolic steroid prevention intervention: The Adolescents Training and Learning to Avoid Steroids (ATLAS) program. JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, 276(19), 1555-1562. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.276.19.1555/
Goldberg, L., Elliot, D. L., Clarke, G. N., MacKinnon, D. P., Zoref, L., Moe, E., … Wolf, S. L. (1996). The Adolescents Training and Learning to Avoid Steroids (ATLAS) prevention program: Background and results of a model intervention. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 150(7), 713-721. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.1996.02170320059010
Goldberg, L., MacKinnon, D. P., Elliot, D. L., Moe, E. L., Clarke, G., & Cheong, J. (2000). The Adolescents Training and Learning to Avoid Steroids program: Preventing drug use and promoting health behaviors. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 154(4), 332-338. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.154.4.332
Yager, Z., McLean, S. A., & Li, X. (2019). Body image outcomes in a replication of the ATLAS program in Australia. Psychology of Men & Masculinities, 20(3), 418-428. https://doi.org/10.1037/men0000173
Otis, M. K., Goldberg, L., Elliot, D. L., & Garg, B. (2014). National dissemination of ATLAS: The evidence-based high school drug prevention program. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 46(5), 478. https://doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000494898.73961.ed
