Does Working out increase healthy testosterone?

[homeboy21]

MY question is this: Does working out, (without the use of any suppliments or steriods) on a regular basis increase a mans level of testosterone output?

[Bill Hartman]

Yes it can.

Int J Sports Med. 1992 Feb;13(2):103-9. Related Articles, Links

Acute hormonal responses in elite junior weightlifters.

Kraemer WJ, Fry AC, Warren BJ, Stone MH, Fleck SJ, Kearney JT, Conroy BP, Maresh CM, Weseman CA, Triplett NT, et al.

Center for Sports Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802.

While not being significantly older, subsequent analysis revealed that subjects with greater than 2 years training experience exhibited significant exercise-induced increases in serum testosterone from pre-exercise to 5 min post-exercise, while those with less than or equal to 2 years training showed no significant serum testosterone differences. None of the other hormones or whole blood lactate appear to be influenced by training experience.

Bill

[10iscoach]

plasma testosterone concentration is increased 10-37 percent during prolonged submaximal work, exercise taken to maximal levels, and during endurance or strength training workouts. Some feel that these small changes are due to a reduction in plasma volume, or to a decrease in the rate of inactivation and removal of testosterone.however, others conclude on the basis of parrallel increase in LH concentration that the increase in plasma testosterone is due to an increased rate of production. While the testosterone response to exercise is small and returns to resting values two hours after exercise there is evidence that the resting plasma concentration is lower in both endurance trained ahtlete's. In a recent study, high mileage runners had lower levels of testosterone, sperm count, and sperm mobility compared to moderate mileage runners.

[bryanc]

Originally posted by 10iscoach:
In a recent study, high mileage runners had lower levels of testosterone, sperm count, and sperm mobility compared to moderate mileage runners.

Okay, but is high mileage running the CAUSE of the lower levels of testosterone, sperm count and mobility? Or is running just a proxy for something else that isn't actually related to running like low body mass or low body fat? _That's_ the million dollar question.

[oravita]

So is the increased testosterone likely to make noticeable changes apart from the obvious muscle development? Has anyone noticed changes that might be related to this?

[Brennon]

Keep in mind overtraining will lower it as well as endurance exercise as previously stated. With runners, testosteorne increases during the exercise, but sharply decreases and remains suppressed in comparison to a sedentary control group.

I would imagine it's not related to BF%, but rather increased cortisol due to the excessively long periods of physical stress.

[Craig]

I don't agree that working out increases testosterone over the long term, or that the small increases in testosterone concentration associated with lifting have any impact on muscle growth.

I think it is all insignificant. No offense to Dr. Kraemer, but all of the testosterone-training studies are relatively useless.

There are no studies that show a relation between post-workout Testosterone and results.

Craig

[Brennon]

Something to consider, I became hypogonadal after a year of heavy lifting and clean eating. Never had any T related problems prior to that. Never touched any steroids/pro-hormones. Could be coincidence, however.

[R.B.B.]

The following naturally increase testosterone.

Heavy weights
Intensity
Short training sessions
Protein
Monounsaturated fat
Vitamins A, B6 and C
Zinc

WWW.RESEARCHBASEDBODYBUILDING. COM

[Brennon]

As far as I know, a high protein diet actually has the reverse effect on testosterone. I can dig up some references if you want...