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Testosterone physiology in resistance exercise and training: the up-stream regulatory elements.
Jakob L Vingren1, William J Kraemer, Nicholas A Ratamess
1Applied Physiology Laboratories, Department of Kinesiology, Health Promotion and Recreation, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA.
Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)
|November 10, 2010
Summary
Resistance exercise boosts testosterone, a key hormone for muscle growth and strength. Training variables like volume and intensity influence this anabolic response, which varies by sex and age.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Exercise Physiology
- Muscle Biology
Background:
- Testosterone is a potent anabolic hormone crucial for muscle growth, protein synthesis, and inhibiting protein breakdown.
- It mediates its effects via the intracellular androgen receptor (AR), influencing adaptations to resistance training.
- Testosterone is vital for muscle growth and strength gains in men undergoing resistance exercise.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the role of testosterone in muscle adaptation to resistance exercise.
- To understand the acute endocrine response of testosterone to resistance training.
- To investigate factors influencing testosterone and AR response to exercise, including sex, age, and exercise variables.
Main Methods:
- The study reviews existing literature on testosterone's role in muscle physiology and its response to resistance exercise.
- It analyzes the acute endocrine responses, focusing on testosterone secretion and AR modulation.
- Factors such as exercise program variables, sex, and age are considered in relation to testosterone levels.
Main Results:
- Resistance exercise generally elevates testosterone levels post-bout in men.
- Testosterone response in women is equivocal, with studies showing both increases and no change.
- Age significantly impacts testosterone; children show no acute response, while aging men and women experience declines and reduced exercise response.
- High volume and metabolic demand in resistance exercise are key to inducing an acute testosterone response.
Conclusions:
- Testosterone is a critical modulator of muscle mass in both sexes.
- Resistance exercise can acutely increase testosterone levels.
- Exercise programming with high volume and metabolic demand is recommended to stimulate testosterone release.
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