Effects of Age on Testosterone Responses to Resistance Exercise and Musculoskeletal Variables in Men

Abstract

This study compared serum total testosterone (TT) and free testosterone (FT) responses of young (20-26 years, n = 8), middle-aged (38-53 years, n = 7), and older (59-72 years, n = 9) men to resistance exercise. We also examined the relationships between testosterone (T) levels and strength, bone mineral density (BMD), and body composition variables for each age group. Subjects were tested for isotonic muscular strength (1 repetition maximum [1RM]), BMD (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry [DXA]) and body composition (DXA). Each group performed an acute exercise protocol (3 sets, 10 repetitions, 80% of 1RM, 6 exercises). Blood samples were obtained at baseline, immediately postexercise, and 15 minutes postexercise for the TT and FT assays. The older age group had significantly (p < 0.05) lower T levels than the young group, but each group exhibited an increase (p < 0.05) in TT and FT immediately postexercise. Total T and FT were significantly correlated (p < 0.05) with strength in middle-aged and older men and with bone-free lean tissue mass in older men. In conclusion, middle-aged and older men showed similar relative T responses to those of younger men to a single bout of high-intensity resistance exercise. However, T levels were related to strength and muscle mass only in middle-aged or older men. On a practical application level, older men can complete a high-intensity resistance exercise program resulting in spikes in T that may attenuate age-related muscle and BMD loss.

Resting Hormone Alterations and Injuries: Block vs. DUP Weight-Training among D-1 Track and Field Athletes

“…The T:C ratio is related to fatigue management, overtraining potential and a number of physiological variables that can impact performance. For example, the T:C has been associated with lean body mass (LBM), leanness, strength and explosiveness [ 11 , 40 , 41 ]. Testosterone may have dual effects: long-term and short-term.…”

Acute and Chronic Testosterone Response to Blood Flow Restricted Exercise

“…These acute elevations have been attributed to plasma volume reductions, adrenergic stimulation, lactate stimulated testosterone secretion, and potential adaptations in testosterone synthesis and/or secretory capacity of the Leydig cells in the testes [ 22 ] . The exercise induced increase in testosterone seems to be dependent upon the amount of muscle mass trained [ 23 ] , intensity and volume [ 24 , 25 ] , nutritional intake [ 26 , 27 ] , age [ 28 ] , gender [ 19 -21 ] , training level [ 29 , 30 ] , and is independent of the individuals absolute level of muscular strength [ 29 ] . To illustrate, large muscle mass movements such as Olympic lifts, deadlifts, and jump squats have been shown to produce substantial increases in testosterone compared with smaller muscle mass exercises (e. g., biceps brachii).…”

Effect of Regular Physical Exercise on the Progression of Erectile Dysfunction Among Male Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

“…It was demonstrated to be high while measuring the serum testosterone, as reported by Herbst et al and confirmed by Kraemer and his team. [113][114][115] While, Izquierdo et al, concluded no change in serum testosterone after (16) weeks of resistance exercise training for a group of middle-aged men which also documented by Nicklas BJ and his colleagues. [116,117] The possible explanation could be related to the age of the participants as more proportion of them are more seniors.…”