Testosterone responses to intensive interval versus steady-state endurance exercise

A C Hackney 1, K P Hosick, A Myer, D A Rubin, C L Battaglini

Abstract

Free testosterone (FT) hormonal responses were compared between high-intensity interval exercise (IE) and steadystate endurance exercise (SSE) in endurance trained males (no.=15). IE session was repeated periods of 90-sec treadmill running at 100-110% maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and 90-sec active recovery at 40% VO2max for 42-47 min. The SSE session consisted of a continuous 45-min run at 60-65% VO2max. Total work output was equal for each exercise session. A 45-min supine rest control session (CON) was also performed. All three sessions were on separate days. Pre-session (PRE), immediate post-session (POST), and 12-h post-session (12POST) blood samples were collected and used to determine FT, SHBG, LH, 3- α-androstanediol glucuronide (3-α Diol G) and cortisol. Analysis of variance compared IE and SSE biomarker responses to the reference CON session. IE and SSE each caused an increase (p<0.01) in FT, but IE more so than SSE (p<0.05). The 5α-reductase marker 3-α Diol G response at 12POST IE was elevated while FT was reduced (p<0.05); no such change occurred following SSE. These findings suggest IE might produce a more pronounced turnover of FT by androgen sensitive tissue than the SSE form of exercise.