Page 102 - JSOM Spring 2020

TABLE 2 Effects of Testosterone on Lean Body Mass and Strength
Subjects Treatment Description Treatment Group Control Group
%Δ Strength %Δ Strength
Dosage Duration %Δ Upper Lower %Δ Upper Lower
Source Age (y) n (mg/wk) (wk) LBM Body Body LBM Body Body
Kido 19 22.7 ± 7.2 22 31.3 104 12.2 NA NA NA NA NA
Kenny 20 76 ± 4 67 35 52 1.8 NA 32.1 0.4 NA 22.4
Kenny 21 77.9 ± 7.3 69 35 52 1.9 2.0 2.9 0.4 4.4 –1.1
Hildreth 22 66.5 ± 5.8 47 70 52–104 1.6 12.4 12.8 0.2 7.3 12.2
Urban 23 67 ± 2 6 100 4 NA NA –25.2 NA NA NA
Bhasin 24 28 ± 3 12 125 20 2.9 NA 6.1 –4.9 NA –0.4
Forbes 25 22 7 200 12 12.0 NA NA NA NA NA
Griggs 26 31.1 ± 2.2 9 220 12 12.0 NA NA NA NA NA
Bhasin 24 24 ± 5 12 300 20 8.2 NA 19.5 –4.9 NA –0.4
Frederiksen 27 68 23 350 12 2.8 NA NA –0.2 NA NA
Frederiksen 27 68 23 350 24 2.6 NA NA –0.2 NA NA
Bhasin 24 25 ± 4 13 600 20 12.3 NA 17.7 –4.9 NA –0.4
Bhasin 31 26 ± 6 10 600 10 4.6 9.4 12.6 1.2 0.0 2.9
Mean 46.3 232.0 28.5 6.2 7.9 14.8 –1.4 3.9 5.0
Abbreviation: LBM, lean body mass.

TABLE 3 Effects of Testosterone or Anabolic Androgenic Steroid with Resistance Training on Lean Body Mass and Strength
Treatment Group Control Group
Subjects Treatment Group %Δ Strength %Δ Strength
T or Dosage Duration Training %Δ Upper Lower %Δ Upper Lower
Source Age (y) n AAS (mg/wk) (wk) Intensity LBM Body Body LBM Body Body
Hildreth 22 66.5 ± 5.8 49 T 70.0 52–104 Moderate 3.3 40.2 47.3 0.6 41.8 32.2
Alén 28 28 ± 5.8 4 T 180.0 24 Heavy 11.6 NA 19.4 0.3 NA 8.7
Friedl 29 27 ± 5 7 T 300.0 6 Moderate 4.7 22.3 4.5 NA NA NA
Giorgi 30 27.8 ± 7.4 11 T 300.0 12 Moderate NA 21.4 NA NA 9.0 NA
Bhasin 31 30 ± 7 11 T 600.0 10 Moderate 9.3 22.7 37.3 2.8 9.2 19.8
Mean 35.9 290.0 13 7.3 26.6 27.1 1.2 20.0 20.2
Freed 32 18–30 6 AAS 85.0 6 Moderate NA ~6.5 ~6.5 NA ~4.0 ~4.0
Alén 28 29 ± 5.8 4 AAS 220.0 24 Heavy 11.6 NA 19.4 0.3 NA 8.7
Freed 32 18–30 7 AAS 260.0 6 Moderate NA ~12.3 ~12.3 NA ~4.0 ~4.0
Friedl 29 27 ± 5 7 AAS 300.0 6 Moderate 2.6 11.5 2.6 NA NA NA
Hervey 33 25–38 7 AAS 700.0 6 Moderate 4.4 13.5 16.6 0.0 5.1 –4.0
Hervey 34 19–25 11 AAS 700.0 6 Moderate 3.5 NA NA –0.6 NA NA
Mean 26.3 377.5 9 5.5 12.5 12.9 –0.1 5.1 2.4
Abbreviation: T, testosterone.

vary in potency from one AAS to another. However, studies function, specifically altering the HPG axis, which may result
administering AAS typically lasted ~10 weeks using nearly in significant decrements in musculoskeletal function.
400mg of AAS weekly and, in healthy subjects, included a re-
sistance training component (Table 3). Collectively, data indicate that both prolonged SOF training
(≥ 3 weeks) and shorter-term (≤ 8 days) SOF training result
in significant decreases in body mass and LBM, as well as re-
Results
duced testosterone levels. 2–10 For example, after 8 weeks of
Factors Encountered in Special Operations Training Ranger training, testosterone levels were reduced >80% in 50
2
Nindl and colleagues reported that 72-hour SOF training de- men aged 24.6 ± 4.4 years. Additionally, testosterone levels
creased body mass 3.1% and LBM by 2.3%, with 9–15% de- were decreased ~50% during participation in one of the US
3
creases in lower body power. Other investigators have reported Army’s advanced military schools, the 3-week Survival, Eva-
that 8 days of SOF training or special support and reconnais- sion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) training. Both US Army
8
sance resulted in decreases in body mass (3–4%), LBM (2– Ranger training and SERE are physically and psychologically
5%), and lower body strength or power of ~5–10% (Table 1). demanding and military recruits are subject to a negative en-
Interestingly, the decline in musculoskeletal function appeared ergy balance and sleep deprivation, which are known to affect
to be temporally related to decreased LBM. In addition to de- levels of testosterone. However, as with LBM and strength,
creased LBM and strength, both shorter-term combat exercise significant reductions in testosterone are observed after only
and SOF training have been shown to markedly alter hormonal 3–8 days of SOF training (Table 1).

96 | JSOM Volume 20, Edition 1 / Spring 2020