Fig. 1

Participant sampling and sample inclusion for group and returning participant comparisons. Returning Participant Visit 1 is included within their corresponding RT-AS cohort. C = Control; RT = Resistance Trained; RT-AS ≤ 2 = Resistance Trained participant who self-declared AAS exposure ceased ≤ 2 weeks before sampling; RT-AS ≥ 10 = Resistance Trained participant who self-declared AAS exposure ceased ≥ 10 weeks before sampling; RP = Returning Participant; DGE: differential gene expression; GSEA: Gene Set Enrichment Analysis; UoB: indicates samples sequenced at the University of Brighton utilising standard chemistry reagents; MGI: indicates samples sequenced at MGI, Latvia, utilising standard chemistry reagents; CoolMPS: indicates samples sequenced at MGI, Latvia, utilising CoolMPS chemistry reagents