Pumping iron stimulates muscle-building hormones

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As if we didn't know already but still interesting:

In men, young and old, strength training boosts levels of testosterone, growth hormone, and cortisol -- hormones associated with enhanced muscle mass and function, a study shows. "These hormonal responses may create an optimal environment for the metabolic process leading to improved muscular function following a strength endurance program," write researchers from Greece in the International Journal of Sports Medicine.

In the study, 8 men in their 60s and early 70s and 9 men in their early 20s performed a strength endurance resistance exercise program of 6 exercises that included seated chest press, pec deck, lateral pulldowns, biceps curls, leg extension and leg flexion. At each exercise, the men performed 3 sets of 15 reps with a 90 second rest period between sets.

Dr. Savvas P. Tokmakidis from Democritus University of Thrace in Komotini and colleagues measured testosterone, cortisol and growth hormone levels before exercise, immediately after exercise, and 15 minutes after the end of exercise. They report that the strength training boosted metabolism, as evidenced by increased blood lactate concentrations in both younger and older men, with the highest increases seen in the younger men.

In addition, testosterone and cortisol concentrations were markedly higher immediately and 15 minutes after strength training, relative to pre-exercise concentrations, in both younger and older men. Growth hormone levels also rose after resistance training in both age groups, although the increase was higher in the younger men. Whether or not the "attenuated" growth hormone response to strength training in the older men "sets a limit" on beneficial muscle changes with long-term strength training remains to be seen, they add.

The current results, Tokmakidis and colleagues conclude, show that a moderate intensity, high repetition resistance exercise protocol designed to boost strength endurance seems to be a "sufficient stimulus" to increase testosterone, growth hormone, and cortisol levels in older men.

SOURCE: International Journal of Sports Medicine, May 2007.

[Gator_Mclusky]

interesting read...thanks for posting.

[Adam F]

Yeah I read this stuff like crazy Bro. Thanks for the article.! Reminds me why I staying natural 70% of the year

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Originally Posted by Adam F

Yeah I read this stuff like crazy Bro. Thanks for the article.! Reminds me why I staying natural 70% of the year

Exactly!