Mechanical Muscle Function and Lean Body Mass During Supervised Strength Training and Testosterone Therapy in Aging Men with Low-Normal Testosterone Levels

Objectives 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. Design Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled. Setting Odense, Denmark. Participants Men aged 60 to 78, with bioavailable testosterone levels of less than 7.3nmol/L and a waist circumference greater than 94cm were randomized to testosterone (50-100mg/d, n=22) placebo (n=23) or strength training (n=23) for 24weeks. The strength training group was randomized to addition of testosterone or placebo after 12weeks. Subjects performed supervised strength training (2-3 sets with 6- to 10-repetition maximum loads, 3 times per week). Measurements 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 12weeks (P=.005). During the following 12weeks 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 24weeks. LBM increased only in men receiving testosterone (P=.004). Conclusion 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.