Cent Eur J Public Health 2010, 18(3):169-172 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a3589

Effect of Endurance Exercise on Resting Testosterone Levels in Sedentary Subjects

Ashira Hiruntrakul1, Ratanavadee Nanagara2, Alongkot Emasithi1, Katarina T. Borer3
1 Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Science, Khon Kaen University, Thailand
2 Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Thailand
3 Division of Kinesiology, Department of Movement Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

Objective: To investigate the effects of moderate-intensity and low frequency exercise on resting serum testosterone and cortisol levels, resting heart rate, and isokinetic strength among healthy sedentary young men.

Design: A randomized controlled study. Forty sedentary young men aged 18 to 25 years old, pedaled 50 minutes on a bicycle ergometry at 60% of maximal effort once a week for 12 weeks in an exercise group. Outcome measures: Resting total and free serum testosterone, serum cortisol, anthropometric data, resting heart rate, and isokinetic strength during shoulder and knee extensions.

Results: Resting serum total and free testosterone, as well as cortisol did not differ significantly between groups. Neither group showed any significant changes in anthropometric data and isokinetic strength at the end of study. However, the resting heart rate of the exercise group reduced significantly after the training (p<0.05). Also, the isokinetic strength of shoulder and knee significantly increased (p<0.05).

Conclusions: Twelve weeks of moderate-intensity and low frequency training had no effect on resting serum testosterone, but were sufficient to increase aerobic fitness among sedentary young men. The type of exercise training may encourage sedentary individuals to participate regularly in the program on physical activity.

Keywords: testosterone, endurance exercise, strength, frequency

Received: October 8, 2009; Revised: May 31, 2010; Accepted: May 31, 2010; Published: September 1, 2010  Show citation

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Hiruntrakul A, Nanagara R, Emasithi A, Borer KT. Effect of Endurance Exercise on Resting Testosterone Levels in Sedentary Subjects. Cent Eur J Public Health. 2010;18(3):169-172. doi: 10.21101/cejph.a3589. PubMed PMID: 21033613.
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