Effect of altered reproductive function and lowered testosterone levels on bone density in male endurance athletes

Abstract

The effect of intense physical activity on female reproductive hormones is well recognised'à nd there is evidence that menstrual disturbances associated with hypo-oestrogenism adversely affect bone density especially at the lumbar spine.45 Physical activity can also have a range of effects on male reproductive function depending upon the intensity and duration of the activity and the fitness of the individual.6 In particular, endurance training may be associated with reductions in circulating testosterone levels. Since testosterone has important anabolic roles, alterations in reproductive hormone profiles may have detrimental skeletal consequences similar to those seen in females with menstrual disturbances. The aim of this brief review is to present the limited literature on the relation between bone density and testosterone levels in male endurance athletes. (BrJ Sports Med 1996;30:205-208) There is controversy about the effects of chronic intense exercise on basal testosterone levels. Some cross sectional studies have found reductions of total testosterone and measures 205 on 11 May 2018 by guest. Protected by copyright.

Is There a Link between Exercise and Male Factor Infertility?

“…However, in the recent study of Safarinejad et al it was clearly shown that serum testosterone and free testosterone levels decreased in response to exercise [38,88]. FSH and LH levels also decreased while prolactin levels rose progressively.…”

Körperliche Aktivität zur Primärprävention des Prostatakarzinoms

“…Untersuchungen an Ausdauersportlern lassen die Annahme gerechtfertigt erscheinen, dass Ausdauersport mit hoher oder niedriger Intensität zu einer Reduzierung des Testosterons führt [2,40]. Deutlich belegen lässt sich das an einer neuen Studie, bei der 143 Män-ner 60 Wochen mit 60% der VO 2max und 143 Männer mit 80% der VO 2max 5-mal/ Woche für jeweils 120 min auf dem Laufband liefen.…”

“…Abb. 2 Auch der Abfall in der Gruppe mit niedrig intensivem Training war signifikant. Gleichzeitig fand sich auch ein Rückgang der Gonadotropine luteinisierendes Hormon (LH) und follikelstimulierendes Hormon (FSH) sowie eine Reduktion der Spermienzahl.…”

Testosterone and BMD in Elite Male Lightweight Rowers

“…It has been suggested that reduced testosterone levels could affect the bone mineral density (BMD) of male endurance trained athletes negatively [2,8]. An association between testosterone and BMD has been documented in 12 elite rowers before but not after 6 months of high-volume training [11] and in a combined group of untrained subjects (n = 15), road (n = 14) and mountain cyclists (n = 16) [22].…”