Exercise and androgen levels
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Physical exercise has been found to be associated with changes in androgen levels. In cross-sectional analyses, aerobic exercisers have lower basal total and free testosterone compared to the sedentary.[1][2][3][4] Anaerobic exercisers also have lower testosterone compared to the sedentary[1] but a slight increase in basal testosterone with resistance training over time.[5] There is some correlation between testosterone and physical activity in the middle aged and elderly.[6] Acutely, testosterone briefly increases when comparing aerobic, anaerobic and mixed forms of exercise.[7] A study assessed men who were resistance trained, endurance trained, or sedentary in which they either rested, ran or did a resistance session. Androgens increased in response to exercise, particularly resistance, while cortisol only increased with resistance. DHEA increased with resistance exercise and remained elevated during recovery in resistance-trained subjects. After initial post-exercise increase, there was decline in free and total testosterone during resistance recovery, particularly in resistance-trained subjects. Endurance-trained subjects showed less change in hormone levels in response to exercise than resistance-trained subjects.[8] Another study found relative short term effects of aerobic, anaerobic and combined anaerobic-aerobic exercise protocols on hormone levels did not change. The study noted increases in testosterone and cortisol immediately after exercise, which in 2 hours returned to baseline levels.[9]