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European Journal of Applied Physiology

Published in:

01-09-2013 | Original Article

Response of testosterone to prolonged aerobic exercise during different phases of the menstrual cycle

Authors: C. B. O’Leary, C. Lehman, K. Koltun, A. Smith-Ryan, A. C. Hackney

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 9/2013

Abstract

Purpose

To examine the androgen response to exercise in women under conditions of high (H) and low (L) estrogen (E₂) levels.

Methods

Ten exercise trained eumenorrheic women (mean ± SD: 20.0 ± 2.2 years, 58.7 ± 8.3 kg, 22.3 ± 4.9 % body fat, VO_2max = 50.7 ± 9.0 mL/kg/min) completed a 60 min treadmill run at ~70 % of VO_2max during both the mid-follicular (L-E₂, 69.7 ± 7.3 % VO_2max) and mid-luteal (H-E₂, 67.6 ± 7.9 % VO_2max) phases of their menstrual cycle. Blood samples were taken pre-exercise (PRE), immediately post (POST), and 30 min into recovery (30R) from exercise and analyzed for total testosterone using ELISA assays. Results were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA.

Results

Testosterone responses were (mean ± SD: L-E₂, pre = 1.41 ± 0.21, post = 1.86 ± 0.21, 30R = 1.75 ± 0.32 nmol/L; H-E₂, pre = 1.27 ± 0.23, post = 2.43 ± 0.56, 30R = 1.69 ± 0.34 nmol/L). Statistical analysis indicated no significant interaction existed between high and low estrogen conditions across the blood sampling times (p = 0.138). However, a main effect occurred for exercise (p < 0.004) with the post-testosterone concentration being greater than pre, although pre vs. 30R was not different (p > 0.05). All testosterone hormonal concentrations immediately post-exercise greatly exceeded the level of hemoconcentration observed during the L-E₂ and H-E₂ exercise sessions.

Conclusions

Prolonged aerobic exercise induces short-term elevations in testosterone in trained eumenorrheic women, which appears unrelated to estrogen levels and menstrual cycle phase. These increases may occur due to either increased androgen production and/or decreased degradation rates of the hormone, and are not solely the result of plasma fluid shifts from the exercise.

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Title: Response of testosterone to prolonged aerobic exercise during different phases of the menstrual cycle
Authors: C. B. O’Leary
C. Lehman
K. Koltun
A. Smith-Ryan
A. C. Hackney
Publication date: 01-09-2013
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 9/2013
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-013-2680-1

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Response of testosterone to prolonged aerobic exercise during different phases of the menstrual cycle

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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