Impact of Acute Exercise on Testosterone Hormone Levels

Abstract

Aim. This study aimed at describing the impact of the five-day handball competitions on the total and free testosterone hormone levels in handball players. Methods. Twelve handball players having played handball for five years or more with averages of 22.16±1.85 years of age, 181.16±5.18 cm in height and 81.59±11.99 kg body weight took part in the study on voluntary basis. Measurements were made after the subjects were briefed about the tests. Blood samples were taken in the morning between 9:00 and 10:00 hours in a laboratory. The 5-mL blood samples of the subjects which were taken from the forearm antecubital area into yellow-capped gel tubes in line with the hygiene rules were analyzed in the central laboratory to check the testosterone hormone levels by using auto-analyzer. Student's t test was made in dependant samples to define the difference between before and after the competition. The significance level was defined as 0.05. Results. It was found out that there were increases in testosterone levels of the handball players before and after competitions (P<0.05). Conclusion. In conclusion, it is considered that the increase in testosterone hormone levels of the participating handball players was due to the acuteness of the loading during the five-day intensive competitions.