Comparison of Basal Serum Testosterone Levels between Male Athletes and Martial Artists
Keywords:
Testosterone, Martial Arts, Sports, Physiology, Sports Medicine
Abstract
There are reports about the relationship between testosterone levels and aggressiveness in animals and humans. The practice of martial arts requires high levels of pain tolerance, fear control and of course, enough aggressiveness to overcome psychological and biological stress. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to identify the relationship between basal testosterone levels and martial arts practice by comparing total serum testosterone values between male athletes and martial artists. In this cross-sectional study, the total testosterone between a control group of 15 male athletes and 15 male martial artists was compared. The participants had the following inclusion criteria: healthy men between 18 and 35 years old, not obese, with at least 1 year of continuous training, 3 to 5 sessions per week with a duration from 60 to 90 min at a moderate to high intensity, non smokers, alcohol free, and free from exogenous testosterone or testosterone precursors. Blood samples were recolected between 8:00 to 10:00 am and the laboratory results were obtained by chemiluminescence. The testosterone levels mean of the martial artist's group was 6.44 (±1.17) ng/mL and the athlete's control group had a mean of 6.09 (±1.32) ng/mL. Comparing values with the Student´s t-test showed no statistically significant difference, with a p value of 0.45. There is no significant difference of basal total testosterone levels between male martial artists and athletes, and it seems there is no direct relationship between testosterone levels and martial arts practice. Further investigation on the physiologic responses produced by the practice of combat sports is a growing necessity.
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References
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Zetaruk MN, Violán MA, Zurakowski D, Micheli LJ. Injuries in martial arts: a comparison of five styles. Br J Sports Med. 2005; 39: 29-33.
Kreiswirth EM, Myer GD, Rauh MJ. Incidence of injury among male brazilian jiujitsu fighters at de world jiu-jitsu no-gi championship 2009. J Athl Train 2014; 49: 89-94.
Bledsoe GH, Hsu EB, Grabowski JG, Brill JD, Li G. Incidence of injury in profesional mixed martial arts competitions. J Sports Sci Med. 2006; CSSI, 136-42.
Lystad RP, Gregory K, Wilson J. The epidemiology of injuries in mixed martial arts: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Orthop J Sports Med. 2014; 2(1): 1-10.
Lystad RP. Epidemiology of injuries in full-contact combat sports. Australas epidemiol 2015; 22: 114.
Couto de Souza JM, Faim FT, Nakashima IY, Altruda CR, Medeiros WM, Reis da Silva L. Lesions in Shotokan karate and jiujitsu- direct trauma versus indirect. Rev Vras Med Esporte. 2011; 17: 107-10.
Giammanco M, Tabacchi G, Giammanco S, Di Majo D, La Guardia M. Testosterone and agressiveness. Med Sci Monit. 2005; 11: 136-45.
Goodale T, Sadhu A, Petak S, Robbins R. Testosterone and the Heart. Methodist Debakey Cardiovasc J. 2017; 13: 68-72.
Wood RI, Stanton SJ. Testosterone and sport: current perspectives. Horm Behav. 2012; 61: 147-55.
Batrinos ML. Testosterone and Aggressive Behavior in Man. Int J Endocrin Metab. 2012; 10: 563-568.
Robazza C, Bortoli L, Nougier V. Performance-related emotions in skilled athletes: hedonic tone and functional impact. Percept Mot Skills. 1998; 87: 547-64.
Robazza C, Bertollo M, Bortoli L. Frequency and direction of competitive anger in contact sports. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2006; 46, 501-508.
Isberg L. Anger, aggressive behavior, and Athletic performance. En: Hanin YL, editores. Emotions in sport. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics; 2000: 113-33.
Oliva F, Calleja N, Hernández R. Escala de creencias sobre la ira en el deporte de combate con atletas mexicanos. Rev Int Med Cienc Act Fís Deporte. 2012; 12: 110-21.
Robazza C, Bortoli L. Perceived impact of anger and anxiety on sporting performance in rugby players. Psychol Sport Exerc. 2007; 8: 875-896.
Pagonis TA, Angelopoulus NV, Koukoulis GN, Hadjichristodoulou CS, Toli PN. Psychiatric and hostility factors related to use of anabolic steroids in monozygotic twins. Eur Psychiatry. 2006; 21: 563-9.
Pope HG, Kouri EM, Hudson JI. Effects of supraphysiologic doses of testosterone on mood and aggression in normal men: a randomized controlled trial. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2000; 57: 133-40.
Salvador A, Suay F, González-Bono E, Serrano MA. Anticipatory cortisol, testosterone and psycological responses to judo competition in young men. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2003; 28: 364-375.
Suay F, Salvador A, González E, Sanchis C, Simón V, Montoro J. Testosterona y evaluación de la conducta agresiva en jóvenes judokas. Rev Psicol Dep. 1996; 9: 77-93.
Serrano MA, Salvador A, González-Bono E, Sanchís C, Suay F. Hormonal responses to competition. Psicothema. 2000; 12: 440-444.
Evans NA. Current concepts in anabolic-androgenic steroids. Am J Sports Med. 2004; 32: 534-42.
Sekulic D, Zenic N, Versic S, Maric D, Gabrilo G, Jelicic M. The Prevalence and Covariates of Potential Doping Behavior in Kickboxing; Analysis among High-Level Athletes. J Hum Kinet. 2017; 59: 67-77.
Brenu EW, McNaughton L, Marshall-Gradisnik SM. Is there a potential immune dysfunction with anabolic androgenic steroid use?: A review. Mini Rev Med Chem. 2011; 11: 438-45.
Saudan C, Baume N, Robinson N, Avois L, Mangin P, Saugy M. Testosterone and doping control. Br J Sports Med. 2006; 40 Suppl 1: i21-4.
Young RJ, Ismail AH, Bradley A, Corrigan DL. Effect of prolonged exercise of serum testosterone levels in adult men. Br J Sports Med. 1976; 10: 230-5.
Hiruntrakul A, Nanagara R, Emasithi A, Borer KT. Effect of endurance exercise on resting testosterone levels in sedentary subjects. Cent Eur J Public Health. 2010; 18: 169-72.
Hayes LD, Sculthorpe N, Herbert P, Baker JS, Hullin DA, Kilduff LP, et al. Resting steroid hormone concentrations in lifetime exercisers and lifetime sedentary males. Aging Male. 2015; 18: 22-6.
Chiprut R, Castellanos-Urdaibay A, Sánchez-Hernández C, Martínez-García D. La obesidad en el siglo XXI. Avances en la etiopatogenia y tratamiento. Gaceta Med Mex. 2001; 137: 323-34.
Lewis J. Steroid Analysis in Saliva: An overview. Clin Biochem Rev. 2006; 27: 139-46.
Gröschl M. Current status of salivary hormone analysis. Clin Chem. 2008; 54: 1759-69.
Hayes LD, Sculthorpe N, Cunniffe B, Grace F. Salivary Testosterone and Cortisol Measurement in Sports Medicine: a Narrative Review and User's Guide for Researchers and Practitioners. Int J Sports Med. 2016; 37(13): 1007-18.
Bassas-Arnau L. Exploración de la función testicular. Endocrinol Nutr. 2009; 56(1): 18-31.
Keskin MZ, Budak S, Aksoy EE, Yücel C, Karamazak S, Ilbey YO, et al. Investigation of the effect of body mass index (BMI) on semen parameters and male reproductive system hormones. Arch Ital Urol Androl. 2017; 89: 219-221.
Figueroa-Valverde L, García-Cervera E, Díaz-Cedillo F, Camacho-Luis A. Correlación entre testosterona, presión sanguínea, índice de masa corporal y edad en varones jóvenes. Rev Int Androl 2009; 7: 142-9.
Shamim MO, Ali Khan FM, Arshad R. Association between serum total testosterone and Body Mass Index in middle aged healthy men. Pak J Med Sci. 2015; 31: 355-9.
Fui MN, Dupuis P, Grossmann M. Lowered testosterone in male obesity: mechanisms, morbidity and management. Asian J Androl. 2014; 16: 223-31.
Singh P. Andropause: Current concepts. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2013; 7: 621-9.
Kelsey TW, Li LQ, Mitchell RT, Whelan A, Anderson RA, Wallace WH. A Validated Age-Related Normative Model for Male Total Testosterone Shows Increasing Variance but No Decline after Age 40 Years. PLoS One. 2014; 9: e109346.
Araujo AB, Wittert GA. Endocrinology of the Aging Male. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2011; 25: 303–319.
Hayes LD, Herbert P, Sculthorpe NF, Grace FM. Exercise training improves free testosterone in lifelong sedentary aging men. Endocr Connect. 2017; 6: 306-10.
Devi S, Saxena J, Rastogi D, Goel A, Saha S. Effect of short-term physical exercise on serum total testosterone levels in young adults. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2014; 58: 178-81.
Vogel RB, Books CA, Ketchum C, Zauner CW, Murray FT. Increase of free and total testosterone during submaximal exercise in normal males. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1985; 17: 119-23.
Gorostiaga EM, Izquierdo M, Ruesta M, Iribarren J, González-Badillo JJ, Ibáñez J. Strength training effects on physical performance and serum hormones in young soccer players. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2004; 91: 698-707.
Ahtiainen JP, Pakarinen A, Alen M, Kraemer WJ, Häkkinen K. Muscle hypertrophy, hormonal adaptations and strength development during strength training in strength-trained and untrained men. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2003; 89: 555-63.
De Souza MJ, Arce JC, Pescatello LS, Scherzer HS, Luciano AA. Gonadal hormones and semen quality in male runners. A volume threshold effect of endurance training. Int J Sports Med, 1994; 15: 383-391.
Wheeler GD, Wall SR, Belcastro AN, Cumming DC. Reduced serum testosterone and prolactin levels in male distance runners. JAMA. 1984; 252: 514-6.
Alén M, Pakarinen A, Häkkinen K, Komi PV. Responses of serum androgenic-anabolic and catabolic hormones to prolonged strength training. Int J Sports Med. 1988; 9: 229-33.
Andreato LV, Lara FJD, Andrade A, Branco BHM. Physical and Physiological Profiles of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Athletes: a Systematic Review. Sports Med Open. 2017; 3:9.
Ouergui I, Davis P, Houcine N, Marzouki H, Zaouali M, Franchini E, et al. Hormonal, Physiological, and Physical Performance During Simulated Kickboxing Combat: Differences Between Winners and Losers. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2016; 11: 425-31.
James LP, Beckman EM, Kelly VG, Haff GG. The Neuromuscular Qualities of Higher- and Lower-Level Mixed-Martial-Arts Competitors. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2017; 12: 612-620.
James LP, Haff GG, Kelly VG, Beckman EM. Towards a Determination of the Physiological Characteristics Distinguishing Successful Mixed Martial Arts Athletes: A Systematic Review of Combat Sport Literature. Sports Med. 2016; 46: 1525-51.
Zitzmann M, Nieschlag E. Testosterone levels in healthy men and the relation to behavioural and physical characteristics: facts and constructs. Eur J Endocrin. 2001; 144: 183-97.
Archer J. The influence of testosterone on human aggression. Br. J. Psychol. 1991; 82: 1–28.
Archer J. Testosterone and human aggression: an evaluation of the challenge hypothesis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2006; 30: 319-45.
Josephs RRA, Mehta PPH, Carré JMJ. Gender and social environment modulate the effects of testosterone on social behavior: comment on Eisenegger et al.et al. Trends Cogn. Sci. 2001; 15: 509–10.
Wingfield JC, Hegner RE, Dufty AM, Ball GF. The “Challenge Hypothesis”: thoeretical implications for patterns of testosterone secrtion, mating systems, and breeding strategies. Am. Nat. 1990; 136: 829-46.
Fabio RA, Towey GE. Cognitive and personality factors in the regular practice of martial arts. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2017 In press.
Woodward TW. A review of the effects of martial arts practice on health. WMJ. 2009; 108(1): 40-3.
Zetaruk MN, Violán MA, Zurakowski D, Micheli LJ. Injuries in martial arts: a comparison of five styles. Br J Sports Med. 2005; 39: 29-33.
Kreiswirth EM, Myer GD, Rauh MJ. Incidence of injury among male brazilian jiujitsu fighters at de world jiu-jitsu no-gi championship 2009. J Athl Train 2014; 49: 89-94.
Bledsoe GH, Hsu EB, Grabowski JG, Brill JD, Li G. Incidence of injury in profesional mixed martial arts competitions. J Sports Sci Med. 2006; CSSI, 136-42.
Lystad RP, Gregory K, Wilson J. The epidemiology of injuries in mixed martial arts: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Orthop J Sports Med. 2014; 2(1): 1-10.
Lystad RP. Epidemiology of injuries in full-contact combat sports. Australas epidemiol 2015; 22: 114.
Couto de Souza JM, Faim FT, Nakashima IY, Altruda CR, Medeiros WM, Reis da Silva L. Lesions in Shotokan karate and jiujitsu- direct trauma versus indirect. Rev Vras Med Esporte. 2011; 17: 107-10.
Giammanco M, Tabacchi G, Giammanco S, Di Majo D, La Guardia M. Testosterone and agressiveness. Med Sci Monit. 2005; 11: 136-45.
Goodale T, Sadhu A, Petak S, Robbins R. Testosterone and the Heart. Methodist Debakey Cardiovasc J. 2017; 13: 68-72.
Wood RI, Stanton SJ. Testosterone and sport: current perspectives. Horm Behav. 2012; 61: 147-55.
Batrinos ML. Testosterone and Aggressive Behavior in Man. Int J Endocrin Metab. 2012; 10: 563-568.
Robazza C, Bortoli L, Nougier V. Performance-related emotions in skilled athletes: hedonic tone and functional impact. Percept Mot Skills. 1998; 87: 547-64.
Robazza C, Bertollo M, Bortoli L. Frequency and direction of competitive anger in contact sports. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2006; 46, 501-508.
Isberg L. Anger, aggressive behavior, and Athletic performance. En: Hanin YL, editores. Emotions in sport. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics; 2000: 113-33.
Oliva F, Calleja N, Hernández R. Escala de creencias sobre la ira en el deporte de combate con atletas mexicanos. Rev Int Med Cienc Act Fís Deporte. 2012; 12: 110-21.
Robazza C, Bortoli L. Perceived impact of anger and anxiety on sporting performance in rugby players. Psychol Sport Exerc. 2007; 8: 875-896.
Pagonis TA, Angelopoulus NV, Koukoulis GN, Hadjichristodoulou CS, Toli PN. Psychiatric and hostility factors related to use of anabolic steroids in monozygotic twins. Eur Psychiatry. 2006; 21: 563-9.
Pope HG, Kouri EM, Hudson JI. Effects of supraphysiologic doses of testosterone on mood and aggression in normal men: a randomized controlled trial. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2000; 57: 133-40.
Salvador A, Suay F, González-Bono E, Serrano MA. Anticipatory cortisol, testosterone and psycological responses to judo competition in young men. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2003; 28: 364-375.
Suay F, Salvador A, González E, Sanchis C, Simón V, Montoro J. Testosterona y evaluación de la conducta agresiva en jóvenes judokas. Rev Psicol Dep. 1996; 9: 77-93.
Serrano MA, Salvador A, González-Bono E, Sanchís C, Suay F. Hormonal responses to competition. Psicothema. 2000; 12: 440-444.
Evans NA. Current concepts in anabolic-androgenic steroids. Am J Sports Med. 2004; 32: 534-42.
Sekulic D, Zenic N, Versic S, Maric D, Gabrilo G, Jelicic M. The Prevalence and Covariates of Potential Doping Behavior in Kickboxing; Analysis among High-Level Athletes. J Hum Kinet. 2017; 59: 67-77.
Brenu EW, McNaughton L, Marshall-Gradisnik SM. Is there a potential immune dysfunction with anabolic androgenic steroid use?: A review. Mini Rev Med Chem. 2011; 11: 438-45.
Saudan C, Baume N, Robinson N, Avois L, Mangin P, Saugy M. Testosterone and doping control. Br J Sports Med. 2006; 40 Suppl 1: i21-4.
Young RJ, Ismail AH, Bradley A, Corrigan DL. Effect of prolonged exercise of serum testosterone levels in adult men. Br J Sports Med. 1976; 10: 230-5.
Hiruntrakul A, Nanagara R, Emasithi A, Borer KT. Effect of endurance exercise on resting testosterone levels in sedentary subjects. Cent Eur J Public Health. 2010; 18: 169-72.
Hayes LD, Sculthorpe N, Herbert P, Baker JS, Hullin DA, Kilduff LP, et al. Resting steroid hormone concentrations in lifetime exercisers and lifetime sedentary males. Aging Male. 2015; 18: 22-6.
Chiprut R, Castellanos-Urdaibay A, Sánchez-Hernández C, Martínez-García D. La obesidad en el siglo XXI. Avances en la etiopatogenia y tratamiento. Gaceta Med Mex. 2001; 137: 323-34.
Lewis J. Steroid Analysis in Saliva: An overview. Clin Biochem Rev. 2006; 27: 139-46.
Gröschl M. Current status of salivary hormone analysis. Clin Chem. 2008; 54: 1759-69.
Hayes LD, Sculthorpe N, Cunniffe B, Grace F. Salivary Testosterone and Cortisol Measurement in Sports Medicine: a Narrative Review and User's Guide for Researchers and Practitioners. Int J Sports Med. 2016; 37(13): 1007-18.
Bassas-Arnau L. Exploración de la función testicular. Endocrinol Nutr. 2009; 56(1): 18-31.
Keskin MZ, Budak S, Aksoy EE, Yücel C, Karamazak S, Ilbey YO, et al. Investigation of the effect of body mass index (BMI) on semen parameters and male reproductive system hormones. Arch Ital Urol Androl. 2017; 89: 219-221.
Figueroa-Valverde L, García-Cervera E, Díaz-Cedillo F, Camacho-Luis A. Correlación entre testosterona, presión sanguínea, índice de masa corporal y edad en varones jóvenes. Rev Int Androl 2009; 7: 142-9.
Shamim MO, Ali Khan FM, Arshad R. Association between serum total testosterone and Body Mass Index in middle aged healthy men. Pak J Med Sci. 2015; 31: 355-9.
Fui MN, Dupuis P, Grossmann M. Lowered testosterone in male obesity: mechanisms, morbidity and management. Asian J Androl. 2014; 16: 223-31.
Singh P. Andropause: Current concepts. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2013; 7: 621-9.
Kelsey TW, Li LQ, Mitchell RT, Whelan A, Anderson RA, Wallace WH. A Validated Age-Related Normative Model for Male Total Testosterone Shows Increasing Variance but No Decline after Age 40 Years. PLoS One. 2014; 9: e109346.
Araujo AB, Wittert GA. Endocrinology of the Aging Male. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2011; 25: 303–319.
Hayes LD, Herbert P, Sculthorpe NF, Grace FM. Exercise training improves free testosterone in lifelong sedentary aging men. Endocr Connect. 2017; 6: 306-10.
Devi S, Saxena J, Rastogi D, Goel A, Saha S. Effect of short-term physical exercise on serum total testosterone levels in young adults. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2014; 58: 178-81.
Vogel RB, Books CA, Ketchum C, Zauner CW, Murray FT. Increase of free and total testosterone during submaximal exercise in normal males. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1985; 17: 119-23.
Gorostiaga EM, Izquierdo M, Ruesta M, Iribarren J, González-Badillo JJ, Ibáñez J. Strength training effects on physical performance and serum hormones in young soccer players. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2004; 91: 698-707.
Ahtiainen JP, Pakarinen A, Alen M, Kraemer WJ, Häkkinen K. Muscle hypertrophy, hormonal adaptations and strength development during strength training in strength-trained and untrained men. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2003; 89: 555-63.
De Souza MJ, Arce JC, Pescatello LS, Scherzer HS, Luciano AA. Gonadal hormones and semen quality in male runners. A volume threshold effect of endurance training. Int J Sports Med, 1994; 15: 383-391.
Wheeler GD, Wall SR, Belcastro AN, Cumming DC. Reduced serum testosterone and prolactin levels in male distance runners. JAMA. 1984; 252: 514-6.
Alén M, Pakarinen A, Häkkinen K, Komi PV. Responses of serum androgenic-anabolic and catabolic hormones to prolonged strength training. Int J Sports Med. 1988; 9: 229-33.
Andreato LV, Lara FJD, Andrade A, Branco BHM. Physical and Physiological Profiles of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Athletes: a Systematic Review. Sports Med Open. 2017; 3:9.
Ouergui I, Davis P, Houcine N, Marzouki H, Zaouali M, Franchini E, et al. Hormonal, Physiological, and Physical Performance During Simulated Kickboxing Combat: Differences Between Winners and Losers. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2016; 11: 425-31.
James LP, Beckman EM, Kelly VG, Haff GG. The Neuromuscular Qualities of Higher- and Lower-Level Mixed-Martial-Arts Competitors. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2017; 12: 612-620.
James LP, Haff GG, Kelly VG, Beckman EM. Towards a Determination of the Physiological Characteristics Distinguishing Successful Mixed Martial Arts Athletes: A Systematic Review of Combat Sport Literature. Sports Med. 2016; 46: 1525-51.
Zitzmann M, Nieschlag E. Testosterone levels in healthy men and the relation to behavioural and physical characteristics: facts and constructs. Eur J Endocrin. 2001; 144: 183-97.
Archer J. The influence of testosterone on human aggression. Br. J. Psychol. 1991; 82: 1–28.
Archer J. Testosterone and human aggression: an evaluation of the challenge hypothesis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2006; 30: 319-45.
Josephs RRA, Mehta PPH, Carré JMJ. Gender and social environment modulate the effects of testosterone on social behavior: comment on Eisenegger et al.et al. Trends Cogn. Sci. 2001; 15: 509–10.
Wingfield JC, Hegner RE, Dufty AM, Ball GF. The “Challenge Hypothesis”: thoeretical implications for patterns of testosterone secrtion, mating systems, and breeding strategies. Am. Nat. 1990; 136: 829-46.
Fabio RA, Towey GE. Cognitive and personality factors in the regular practice of martial arts. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2017 In press.
Woodward TW. A review of the effects of martial arts practice on health. WMJ. 2009; 108(1): 40-3.
Published
2018-01-05
How to Cite
Arjona-Luna, R. (2018). Comparison of Basal Serum Testosterone Levels between Male Athletes and Martial Artists. Mexican Journal of Medical Research ICSA, 6(11). https://doi.org/10.29057/mjmr.v6i11.3013
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Articles
