Effect of strength training on the hormonal profile of resistance-trained athletes

• Grant number: 24/08082-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2024
• End date: June 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physical Education
• Principal Investigator: Bryan Saunders
• Grantee: Anderson Bandieri Santana
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/06836-0 - Placebo in sports and exercise: prevalence, conditioning and open-placebo, AP.JP2

Abstract

Steroid hormones play a significant role in human maturation, growth, and development, particularly testosterone in the context of strength exercise. The influence of these hormones on protein synthesis and the prevention of muscle catabolism is notable. Understanding the interrelationship between these hormones is essential for comprehending the effects of strength training on the hormonal profile of trained young men, highlighting the need for studies on the chronic alterations induced by exercise.Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effects of strength training on the hormonal profile of bodybuilding practitioners. The hypothesis suggests that the training volume may be associated with increases in testosterone, free testosterone, and dihydrotestosterone levels.Methodology: Twenty cisgender men aged between 18 and 40 years, who have been practicing strength training for at least 6 months and maintain a habitual protein intake of more than 0.8 g/kg/day, will be recruited. Participants will be monitored for four weeks, during which they will record their workouts and diet remotely through specific applications. After this period, they will undergo a series of physical tests, including muscle ultrasound, strength tests, blood collection, and body composition assessment. Strength tests will be repeated in weeks 10 and 15, and for those in the placebo intervention group, also in week 20. Statistical analysis will be performed using a mixed model of repeated measures, considering factors such as energy consumption, training volume, and time. The study will seek to correlate these data with muscle hypertrophy and strength tests, with a significance level of p<0.05.