Exercise training improves free testosterone in lifelong sedentary aging men
Lawrence D Hayes1, Peter Herbert2, Nicholas F Sculthorpe3
1Active Ageing Research GroupDepartment of Medical and Sport Sciences, University of Cumbria, Lancaster, UK Lawrence.Hayes@Cumbria.ac.uk.
Endocrine Connections
|May 19, 2017
Summary
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) and preconditioning exercise significantly increase total testosterone (TT) and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) in older men. HIIT also offers a small, significant boost in free testosterone (free-T).
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Exercise Physiology
- Gerontology
Background:
- The hormonal effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in aging men remain largely unexplored.
- Sedentary older men require preconditioning exercise before initiating HIIT protocols.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of HIIT on serum total testosterone (TT), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), free testosterone (free-T), and cortisol in sedentary older men.
- To assess hormonal changes following both preconditioning exercise and subsequent HIIT.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 22 lifelong sedentary older men (mean age 62 years) underwent three measurement phases: baseline, post-preconditioning exercise, and post-HIIT.
- Serum levels of TT, SHBG, free-T, and cortisol were measured using identical methods at each phase.
- Participants completed six-week training blocks between each measurement phase.
Main Results:
- Total testosterone (TT) increased significantly by approximately 17% post-HIIT, with most of the increase (~10%) occurring during the preconditioning phase.
- Free testosterone (free-T) showed no significant change after preconditioning but increased by ~4.5% post-HIIT compared to baseline.
- Serum cortisol levels remained unchanged throughout the study.
Conclusions:
- A combination of preconditioning exercise and HIIT effectively increases TT and SHBG in sedentary older males.
- HIIT contributes a small but statistically significant increase in free-T in this population.
- Further research is needed to determine the clinical significance of these free-T improvements in aging men.
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