Testosterone Is Significantly Reduced in Endurance Athletes without Impact on Bone Mineral Density

Vol. 59, No. 6, 2003

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Original Paper

Testosterone Is Significantly Reduced in Endurance Athletes without Impact on Bone Mineral Density
L. Maïmoun^a,b, S. Lumbroso^c, J. Manetta^d, F. Paris^c, J.L. Leroux^e, C. Sultan^c

^aCentre Propara,
^bGroupe de Recherche Interdisciplinaire sur le Métabolisme Osseux (GRISMO),
^cService d'Hormonologie du Développement et de la Reproduction, CHU Lapeyronie et Unité d'Endocrinologie Pédiatrique, CHU Arnaud de Villeneuve,
^dService Central de Physiologie Clinique (CERRAM), CHU Lapeyronie, Montpellier,
^eService de Rhumatologie, CHU Caremeau, Nîmes, France

Address of Corresponding Author

Horm Res 2003;59:285-292 (DOI: 10.1159/000070627)

Key Words

Testosterone
Endurance athletes
Bone mineral density
Body composition
Physical activity

Abstract

Aims: To compare the basal plasma reproductive hormonal profile in three groups of athletes involved in different training programs, and to define the relationship between androgen level and bone mineral density (BMD) in male athletes. Methods: Basal serum total testosterone (TT), free androgen index (FAI), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), cortisol, cortisol to TT ratio, luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen and BMD were evaluated in cyclists (CY; n = 11), triathletes (TR; n = 14) and swimmers (SW; n = 13) and compared with less active controls (n = 10). Results: TT and FAI levels were lower (p < 0.05) in CY and TR, whereas the ratio of cortisol to TT was increased in CY only (p < 0.05). No alteration in serum LH, SHBG, estrogen or cortisol concentration was observed. BMD was higher in the proximal femur in TR (p < 0.05). No BMD or hormonal differences were found in SW. Conclusion: Only the endurance training of CY and TR induced androgen deficiency without apparent alteration of BMD.

Author Contacts

Laurent Maïmoun
Centre Propara, Parc Euromédecine
263, rue de la Caducée
F-34195 Montpellier (France)
Tel. +33 467 04 67 04, Fax +33 467 54 35 36, E-Mail laurent.maimoun@oreka.fr

Article Information

Received: May 31, 2001
Accepted after revision: February 17, 2003
Number of Print Pages : 8
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 3, Number of References : 53

Medline Abstract (ID 12784093)

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