SERUM TESTOSTERONE RESPONSES TO ACUTE RESISTANCE EXERCISE IN YOUNG, MIDDLE-AGED, AND OLDER MEN

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study compared serum testosterone (T) responses of three age groups of men to an acute bout of resistance exercise. METHODS: Twenty-four men were assigned to either a young group (18–30 yrs, n = 8), a middle-aged group (31–55 yrs, n = 7) or an older group (56–72 yrs, n = 9). The subjects performed 1-RM testing for six resistance exercises (knee flexion/extension, leg press, military press, lat pull-down, bench press). Subjects then performed the acute resistance exercise protocol (3 sets, 10 reps, 80% 1-RM) during which blood samples were taken before exercise and during recovery. RESULTS: The age groups differed (p ≤ .01) in resting T levels. The young men had the highest levels of both free T and total T with the levels decreasing with age. All age groups exhibited significant (p < .05) increases in serum free and total T levels in response to acute exercise. The relative changes in serum T were similar for the three age groups. CONCLUSION: The three age groups had significantly different resting T levels, but all responded in a similar pattern to the exercise bout. This pattern included a peak immediately after the exercise bout with a return to resting levels by 15 minutes post-exercise.Table