Abstract
To determine the influence of arm-crank exercise in reproductive hormone levels in adults with chronic SCI. Further objectives were to assess the influence of arm-crank exercise on muscle strength and body composition. Seventeen male adults with complete SCI at or below the 5th thoracic level (T5) volunteered for this study. Participants were randomly allocated to the intervention (n = 9) or control group (n = 8) using a concealed method. The participants in the intervention group performed a 12-week arm-crank exercise program, 3 sessions/week, consisting of warming-up (10-15 min) followed by a main part in arm-crank (20-30 min [increasing 2 min and 30 seconds each three weeks]) at a moderate work intensity of 50-65% of heart rate reserve (HRR) (starting at 50% and increasing 5% each three weeks) and by a cooling-down period (5-10 min). Serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone and estradiol were determined by ELISA. Muscle strength (handgrip) and body composition (waist circumference [WC]) were assessed. After the completion of the training program, testosterone level was significantly increased (p = 0.0166;d = 1.14). Furthermore, maximal handgrip and WC were significantly improved. Lastly, a significant inverse correlation was found between WC and testosterone (r =- 0.35; p = 0.0377). The arm-crank exercise improved reproductive hormone profile by increasing testosterone levels in adults with chronic SCI. A secondary finding was that it also significantly improved muscle strength and body composition in this group.
Highlights
Several studies have reported that measuring serum total testosterone levels should be included in standard screenings for patients with SCI, those with motor complete injuries, given their high prevalence of testosterone deficiency [1,2].low levels of testosterone may further adversely affect metabolism and body ibju | Arm-crank exercise increased testosterone levels composition in this group [3]
Body composition was improved as Waist circumference (WC) was significantly reduced (97.7 ± 6.3 vs. 94.2 ± 6.2cm; p = 0.044; d = 0.82)
A significant, negative, correlation was found between WC and testosterone levels (r =- 0.35; p = 0.0377) after being exercised
Summary
Several studies have reported that measuring serum total testosterone levels should be included in standard screenings for patients with SCI, those with motor complete injuries, given their high prevalence of testosterone deficiency [1,2].low levels of testosterone may further adversely affect metabolism and body ibju | Arm-crank exercise increased testosterone levels composition in this group [3]. Several studies have reported that measuring serum total testosterone levels should be included in standard screenings for patients with SCI, those with motor complete injuries, given their high prevalence of testosterone deficiency [1,2]. Testosterone deficiency has been reported as a target in the therapeutic approach of this entity. In this respect, results achieved by using testosterone replacement therapy both in animal research [5] and human studies [3] have been promising. A recent published trial has demonstrated that aerobic training at moderate intensity increased testosterone levels in abdominally obese, sedentary adults without SCI [6]
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