Long-Term Effects of Bodybuilding on Testosterone Levels

[3XL]

Long-Term Effects of Bodybuilding on Testosterone Levels
by Dharkam

Disclaimer: Discussion of pharmaceutical agents below is presented for information only. Nothing here is meant to take the place of advice from a licensed health care practitioner. Consult a physician before taking any medication.

Is bodybuilding good for your testosterone?
In bodybuilding, we are told that our workouts should not last more than 45 minutes! Why? Because past this 45 minute limit, our testosterone production is supposed to fall. No one seems to criticize this statement which is, in fact, a very stupid one.

I have weight-trained for 25 years without any major injury. One of the reason for this is that I warm up extensively. In winter, it is not rare that I need 45 minutes to get fully warmed up prior to my first heavy set. What should I do? Stop right after my warm up because I am already beyond the 45 minute limit?


We also know that a post-training supplementation high in both proteins and carbohydrates negatively influences our testosterone levels. Yet, everybody recommends it despite this inhibitory effect. So, we limit your workout volume to preserve our testosterone. Yet, we gladly impair its output right after the workout with a high protein / high carb feeding? Go figure!

Hypogonadism and natural bodybuilding

If bodybuilding is such a good testosterone booster, why do so many seasoned lifters suffer from a very low testosterone level? And I am not talking about former steroid users only. Are they all overtrained? The answer is no. The fact is, long term bodybuilding may not be that good for your endogenous testosterone production.

If you look at the scientific research measuring testosterone output after an intense workout, you will find that some studies show an increase. Others fail to demonstrate any effect on testosterone output. Also, some studies report a reduction in testosterone. So, the testosterone response to a workout is very hard to predict. But I can clearly see a trend: the more advanced you are, the less likely your are to respond positively.

Lactate as a powerful endocrine stimulator
There is a very interesting study that sums up those various trends. Sprinters ran 400 meters as fast as possible. The run lasted around 45 to 50 seconds. This is very interesting because this is how long a normal bodybuilding set lasts. Among these sprinters, some were of Olympic caliber with around 8 years of training. Others were not so advanced with only 4 years of practice under their belt. The elite sprinters produced the most effort in the least amount of time (45 s). Their blood lactic acid concentration increased 1100%. The less advanced sprinters cover the 400 m in 48 s. As their efforts were less intense, their blood lactic acid level increased only 800%. Because of those strong lactic acid elevations, one would expect testosterone level to increase. During an intense effort, the lactate from the lactic acid is supposed to be a very powerful endocrine stimulator.

As a result of this intense run, the luteneizing hormone (LH) level (the hormone triggering the testosterone release):

- almost doubled (+ 100%) in ALL the elite sprinters;
-in the less advanced runners, LH concentration raised only 25%. It increased in most runners of this group but decreased in a minority of them.


Normally, a LH elevation is associated with an increase in testosterone production. This is what we see in the less advanced runners with a 27% increase in total testosterone and a 60% increase in free testosterone. No matter how their LH responded, ALL of them experienced an elevation in blood testosterone.

45 seconds are enough to reduce your testosterone concentration!

The testosterone response in the elite athletes is far more interesting. Despite the very robust LH elevation, ALL of them experienced a decrease in testosterone output. Total and free testosterone decreased 11% and 26%, respectively. So much for the 45 min limit beyond which testosterone might start to decrease. We see in this study that in advanced athletes, an all out effort of 45 seconds is enough to decrease testosterone. This acute effort produced a long lasting negative effect. It took the sprinters 24 h to have their testosterone level back to normal.

Would steroid usage explain this strange phenomenon? I do not think so as their baseline testosterone, LH and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) [another testosterone stimulating hormone] levels were normal before the 400 meter run.

Testicular Exhaustion - Explanation for this Unexpected Response?
The answer to the paradox of having a strong LH elevation and negative testosterone response is simple. The testes of these advanced athletes are "exhausted". Their constant stimulation ends up having a very negative impact on their capacity to manufacture androgens.

In this study, this exhaustion occurred after only 8 years of training. Basal testosterone is not affected, yet. Subjects were still pretty young (25 year old), too. With more training years and as you get older, basal testosterone production is likely to suffer, too. I think this exhaustion explains why so many advanced (natural) bodybuilders end up having low levels of androgens or end up producing no testosterone at all.

An accelerated form of aging?
Note that the free (bio-available) testosterone is the most affected in both groups. It increased the most in the least experienced athletes compared to total testosterone. It decreased the most in the elite group. In that, it resembles to an accelerated form of aging. As we age, the production of the proteins that bind testosterone increases 1% every year. If our testosterone output decline yearly, our free portion is the most negatively affected.

What are the consequences bodybuilding training and testicular exhaustion?

The ‘testicular exhaustion’ is a factor one should take into account when planning his bodybuilding career. When you thing about it, the future does not look very bright. Up to the age of 25, I could tell that a workout, especially a leg workout, was increasing my testosterone level. More than 10 years later, such a feelable kick is very, very rare.

Unless you want to become a pro bodybuilders, I would not recommend starting using steroids before reaching this exhaustion stage.
Low calorie diets are obviously not a good thing for your testosterone output. This is why I am against the bulking up phase, especially for natural bodybuilders. Overfeeding is not a very strong stimulator for your testosterone production. On the other hand, underfeeding is a potent inhibitor of testosterone output. After several years of bulking up, a severe diet might precipitate this testes exhaustion.
The new logic of the aging bodybuilder

Statistical studies suggest that muscles can still grow despite a low testosterone output. In fact, muscles growth is more closely related to testosterone receptor density than testosterone level. This indirect finding suggests that testosterone receptors can self activate in the absence of testosterone if muscular contractions are intense enough. But in extreme case of exhaustion, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) might be the only solution.

Reference

Slowinska-Lisowska M, Majda J. Hormone plasma levels from pituitary-gonadal axis in performance athletes after the 400 m run. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2002 Jun;42(2):243-9.

[Tjok]

Origineel gepost door 3XL

The ‘testicular exhaustion’ is a factor one should take into account when planning his bodybuilding career. When you thing about it, the future does not look very bright. Up to the age of 25, I could tell that a workout, especially a leg workout, was increasing my testosteron level. More than 10 years later, such a feelable kick is very, very rare.

Unless you want to become a pro bodybuilders, I would not recommend starting using steroids before reaching this exhaustion stage.
Low calorie diets are obviously not a good thing for your testosteron output. This is why I am against the bulking up phase, especially for natural bodybuilders. Overfeeding is not a very strong stimulator for your testosteron production. On the other hand, underfeeding is a potent inhibitor of testosteron output. After several years of bulking up, a severe diet might precipitate this testes exhaustion.
The new logic of the aging bodybuilder

Twee dingen die ik niet begrijp:

1. Up to the age of 25, I could tell that a workout, especially a leg workout, was increasing my testosteron level. More than 10 years later, such a feelable kick is very, very rare.

Wat bedoelt hij met dat hij kon voelen dat z'n testosteron niveau's omhoog gingen na een beentraining? Ik ben altijd zo kapot na een beentraining dat ik 1.5-2 uur lig te maffen als ik terug kom van de gym..

2.Low calorie diets are obviously not a good thing for your testosteron output. This is why I am against the bulking up phase, especially for natural bodybuilders.

Hiermee bedoelt hij dat cutten zo slecht is dat je bulken maar beter niet kan doen?

[davy1010]

euh .... slik, ik hoop van harte dat dit bullshit is...

[Ariane1991]

Origineel gepost door davy1010

euh .... slik, ik hoop van harte dat dit bullshit is...

Het klinkt allemaal niet erg wetenschappelijk...

[KraKa]

Het klinkt inderdaad allemaal wat vaagjes. Ienmand met een idee die er vervolgens onderzoeken bij gaat zoeken om het te ondersteunen. Dat is geen wetenschappelijke aanpak. Maarja, het sluit niet uit dat het waar of onwaar is.

[vrosjnivosj]

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the concentration changes in hormones from pituitary - gonadal axis, induced by the 400 m run in the well-trained athletes (vice-champions in the Hall and Summer Athletic World Championship in 1999) to the changes observed in the competitors with shorter training period and achieving worse final results. METHODS: This research was conducted on 6 males - members of the Polish Olympic Team, who won vice-championship in the Hall and Summer World Championships 1999 and 6 athletes trained in the academic sport clubs. In the recent investigation, the 400 m run was assumed to be a stimulating impulse for evoking hormonal changes. The blood samples were taken from the elbow vein before the run, immediately after the effort and after the 24-hour rest. In the serum, the luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT) as well as the sex hormones-binding globulin (SHBG) concentrations were determined. RESULTS: During our research, immediately after the 400 m run in group I - the top class sportsmen - the statistically significant increase in both gonadotrophins (LH, FSH) was determined as well as the decrease in the total and free testosterone. In the group II - the athletes with the lower training level - the increase in FSH and the total and free testosterone concentrations was noticed. There were no statistically significant differences in the SHBG concentration. After-effort increase in the lactic acid concentration was observed in both groups. In the master group I, the increase in lactic acid concentration was higher than in group II. In both groups after the 24-hour restitution, the examined parameters, except LH levels in the group I, showed the concentrations similar to those before the effort. Analysis of the time needed to cover the distance of the race showed that the athletes from group I covered the distance of 400 m in the shorter time. CONCLUSIONS: The group of master class athletes, whose average intensive training period was 8 years, had higher VO(2max) and higher after-effort increase in the lactic acid concentration than in the group of sportsmen with the shorter training period (4 years), who had lower VO(2max), worse sport results and lower after-effort increase in the lactic acid concentration, gave different hormonal response (particularly TT, FT concentration) for the same exercise impulse. The difference based on the fact, that after the run in group I the decrease in the total and free testosterone levels and in group II the increase in the same parameters were observed. The observed hormonal changes in the master class athletes induced by the years-long anaerobic training might provide evidence for the reduction of functional reserves in gonads when compared to the group of less trained sportsmen.

Hormone plasma levels from pituitary-gonadal axis ...[J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2002] - PubMed Result

Onderstreepte vind ik belangrijk: Na 24 uur zijn de waardes bijna allemaal gelijkgekomen.

[Suicide Sid]

Origineel gepost door 3XL

Is bodybuilding good for your testosteron?
In bodybuilding, we are told that our workouts should not last more than 45 minutes! Why? Because past this 45 minute limit, our testosteron production is supposed to fall. No one seems to criticize this statement which is, in fact, a very stupid one.

I have weight-trained for 25 years without any major injury. One of the reason for this is that I warm up extensively. In winter, it is not rare that I need 45 minutes to get fully warmed up prior to my first heavy set. What should I do? Stop right after my warm up because I am already beyond the 45 minute limit?


We also know that a post-training supplementation high in both proteins and carbohydrates negatively influences our testosteron levels. Yet, everybody recommends it despite this inhibitory effect. So, we limit your workout volume to preserve our testosteron. Yet, we gladly impair its output right after the workout with a high protein / high carb feeding? Go figure!

Ik dacht dat de trainingsduur beperkt moest worden en dat je na de training stevig moest eten om de cortisol waarden binnen de perken te houden... misschien op dat moment wel prioritair tov het halen van een hoog test gehalte. Het onderzoek dat vorisjnov van pub med haalde en waar de auteur naar verwijst lijkt me eigenlijk niet zo veel te maken te hebben met long term effects maar eerder short term.

Het zou me niet verbazen dat het lichaam na een te veel aan spiermassa minder test maakt want a) de androgeen receptoren zijn gevoeliger b) misschien wel een handig mechanisme om homeostase te bereiken?

[Svensson]

Up to the age of 25, I could tell that a workout, especially a leg workout, was increasing my testosteron level. More than 10 years later, such a feelable kick is very, very rare.

Dit is ook een lekker quasi-wetenschappelijke uitspraak...

Anyhow, wel interessante bevindingen. Ook al mocht het allemaal waar zijn, de voordelen van krachttraining wegen voor mij vele malen zwaarder dan dit potentieel nadeel.

Om nog even terug te komen op de quote: 3, wat zijn jouw persoonlijke ervaringen als iemand die al tientallen jaren zwaar traint? Komt dit gevoel van steeds lager wordende testosteronspiegels door de jaren heen jou bekend voor (voor zover je dit kan "voelen")?

[Ariane1991]

Origineel gepost door Svensson

Dit is ook een lekker quasi-wetenschappelijke uitspraak...

Anyhow, wel interessante bevindingen. Ook al mocht het allemaal waar zijn, de voordelen van krachttraining wegen voor mij vele malen zwaarder dan dit potentieel nadeel.

Om nog even terug te komen op de quote: 3, wat zijn jouw persoonlijke ervaringen als iemand die al tientallen jaren zwaar traint? Komt dit gevoel van steeds lager wordende testosteronspiegels door de jaren heen jou bekend voor (voor zover je dit kan "voelen")?

Ik zou het niet weten, maaar ik lees net dat er pleisters voor in de handel zijn.

[3XL]

Origineel gepost door vrosjnivosj

Onderstreepte vind ik belangrijk: Na 24 uur zijn de waardes bijna allemaal gelijkgekomen.

Er staat dat na 24 uur bijde groepen weer op het peil van voor de meting zitten, maar aangezien de getrainde groep hogere waarden tijdens de training bereikte houd dat dus in dat de daling in die groep sneller ging

Vetgedrukte vind ik van belang.

CONCLUSIONS: The group of master class athletes, whose average intensive training period was 8 years, had higher VO(2max) and higher after-effort increase in the lactic acid concentration than in the group of sportsmen with the shorter training period (4 years), who had lower VO(2max), worse sport results and lower after-effort increase in the lactic acid concentration, gave different hormonal response (particularly TT, FT concentration) for the same exercise impulse.

The difference based on the fact, that after the run in group I the decrease in the total and free testosteron levels and in group II the increase in the same parameters were observed.

The observed hormonal changes in the master class athletes induced by the years-long anaerobic training might provide evidence for the reduction of functional reserves in gonads when compared to the group of less trained sportsmen.

[chunky]

Ik vraag me af of je iemand die 45 min nodig heeft om op te warmen serieus moet nemen...

[3XL]

Origineel gepost door Svensson

Om nog even terug te komen op de quote: 3, wat zijn jouw persoonlijke ervaringen als iemand die al tientallen jaren zwaar traint? Komt dit gevoel van steeds lager wordende testosteronspiegels door de jaren heen jou bekend voor (voor zover je dit kan "voelen")?

Ik denk niet dat je dit echt kan voelen (ik heb tenminste nooit het gevoel ghad dat de hormonen door m'n keel gierde ), daar gaat de daling te gelijdelijk voor, maar ik denk wel dat je trainingsresultaten minder worden en het herstel langer duurd naarmate je ouder word. Of dit te maken heeft met vermindering van hormonen door jarenlange training of gewoon omdat je naarmate je ouder word minder aanmaakt ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Wat dat voelen aangaat, "voelt" iemand in en kuur dat de stofen beginnen te werken ?

[vrosjnivosj]

Natuurlijk is de vraag ook welke daling? Worden door deze daling je prestaties negatief beinvloed? Levensstijl (energie...)?

Het is een aanneembare verklaring dat je ballen minder t aanmaken door uitputting maar is dit wel zo...

[LangeMan]

Als je ouder wordt verlaagd je testosterone sowieso wel. Allemaal aan de TRT

[olddutch]

M'n eerste post en dan meteen zo een schunnige (sorry) , ik weet niet of het waar is (ben geen wetenschapper).
Elke dag een flinke Porno kijken, en tussen door plaatjes kijken van lekkere Frauenbodybuilderinnen (natuurlijk zonder te spüüten anders helpt het niet ! )
en bij sex, een heel lang voorspel (je vriendin gaat dat leuk vinden joh ) !!!heeft een fantastische invloed op mijn testosteronspiegel.
Naja of het waar is weet ik dus niet, mijn libido (of hoe het ook heet) blijft i.i.g wel op pijl.

Tussen door een anabole-diät (ik neem aan dat kennen jullie al) volgen helpt ook heel goed

tot nu toe merk ik met 38 jaartjes in iedergeval niet dat ik een lager testo-spiegel heb

bye

Jan

[Svensson]

Origineel gepost door 3XL

Ik denk niet dat je dit echt kan voelen (ik heb tenminste nooit het gevoel ghad dat de hormonen door m'n keel gierde ), daar gaat de daling te gelijdelijk voor, maar ik denk wel dat je trainingsresultaten minder worden en het herstel langer duurd naarmate je ouder word. Of dit te maken heeft met vermindering van hormonen door jarenlange training of gewoon omdat je naarmate je ouder word minder aanmaakt ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Wat dat voelen aangaat, "voelt" iemand in en kuur dat de stofen beginnen te werken ?

Dat was precies mijn idee... Iedereen zal door de jaren heen te maken krijgen met natuurlijke afname van testosteron, dus in hoeverre dit komt door een lange trainingsgeschiedenis zelf, is maar de vraag..

Daarom vond ik het ook zo apart dat tegen het einde van de tekst wordt gesproken van een "voelbaar" lager test-level na een training op oudere leeftijd in vergelijking met de jeugdjaren. Die uitspraak is wel erg subjectief natuurlijk.