title: Mechanical muscle function and lean body mass during supervised strength training and testosterone therapy in aging men with low-normal testosterone levels.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effect of strength training and testosterone therapy on mechanical muscle function and lean body mass (LBM) in aging men with low-normal testosterone levels in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 24-week study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled.
  
  
  METHODS
  Odense, Denmark.
  
  
  METHODS
  Men aged 60 to 78, with bioavailable testosterone levels of less than 7.3 nmol/L and a waist circumference greater than 94 cm were randomized to testosterone (50-100 mg/d, n = 22) placebo (n = 23) or strength training (n = 23) for 24 weeks. The strength training group was randomized to addition of testosterone or placebo after 12 weeks. Subjects performed supervised strength training (2-3 sets with 6- to 10-repetition maximum loads, 3 times per week).
  
  
  METHODS
  Testosterone levels, maximal voluntary contraction and rate of force development, and LBM were obtained at 0 and at Weeks 12 and 24 of the intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No changes in any variables were recorded with placebo. In the strength training group, maximal voluntary contraction increased 8% after 12 weeks (P = .005). During the following 12 weeks of strength training rate of force development increased by 10% (P = .04) and maximal voluntary contraction further increased (P < .001). Mechanical muscle function was unchanged in men receiving only testosterone for 24 weeks. LBM increased only in men receiving testosterone (P = .004).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Strength training in aging men with low-normal testosterone levels may improve mechanical muscle function, but this effect occurs without a significant increase in LBM. Clinically, only the combination of testosterone therapy and strength training resulted in an increase in mechanical muscle function and LBM.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sport Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
authors.forename: Thue
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kvorning
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital and Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
authors.forename: Louise L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.affiliation: Section for Sport Science, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Klavs
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Madsen
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sport Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
authors.forename: Jakob L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sport Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
authors.forename: Kasper D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Gejl
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital and Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Brixen
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital and Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Andersen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods*; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013851:Thinness / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D013739:Testosterone