The Anabolic Steroid (AS) Education Study is designed to help understand the best way to educate adolescent athletes about the dangers of anabolic steroid use.  This project is an international collaborative effort.  Dr. Dodge is collaborating with Dr. Susan Backhouse from Leeds Metropolitan University in the UK, Dr. Jason Mazanov from the University of New South Wales in Australia, and Dr. Andrea Petroczi from Kingston University in the UK. This project is funded by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Dietary supplements are used by individuals for their beneficial health (e.g., improvements in memory and immune system functioning) or ergogenic (e.g., weight loss and improved physical/athletic performance) effects. Although a large percentage of individuals use dietary supplements, very few people understand how the supplements are regulated.  We are conducting studies to understand how information about the regulation of dietary supplements affects individuals' beliefs about the safety and effectiveness of supplements.

Physical activity and sports participation have been linked to a number of beneficial outcomes like lower levels of depression, less tobacco use and improved self-image.  Dr. Dodge is working with her colleagues Dr. Ormsbee and Dr. Fehling in the Exercise Science Department on a series of studies designed to gain a better understanding of this link.  Dr. Dodge also collaborates with Dr. Sharon Lambert from The George Washington University to understand whether sports participation can protect adolescents from exposure to violence.