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Does road cycling boost or decrease testosterone?

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Does road cycling boost or decrease testosterone?

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Old 08-29-17 | 04:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Samuraidog
The information on the internet about what cycling does to testosterone levels is varied. Some articles say it boosts testosterone, while others say it decreases your test levels.

Just curious what the rest of you think.

P.S. I'm 47 years old and typically ride about 3 days a week, with each ride being around 20 ~ 60 miles.
Hi intensity is thought to. So weight, or hard intervals. They kind you could not do 3X a week.

I don't think below tempo riding does.
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Old 08-29-17 | 09:17 PM
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I know for endurance runners it decreases it by 1/2. Now you can counter it by doing sprints and strength training. When it comes down to it aerobic equals less anaerobic equals more.
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Old 08-29-17 | 09:25 PM
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My opinion is that anything that encourages or creates leg muscle growth, will increase your testosterone levels. Doing intervals and making bigger tears in the muscle to gain a higher amount of power/ftp will increase your testosterone levels as well. If you are doing such long rides and not nourishing your body properly, I could see how you would start to loose muscle/become emaciated and have your test levels decrease. Just my two cents, I am not a doctor and I do not have any reference material to site.
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Old 08-30-17 | 05:07 AM
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Old 08-30-17 | 02:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Samuraidog
The information on the internet about what cycling does to testosterone levels is varied. Some articles say it boosts testosterone, while others say it decreases your test levels.

Just curious what the rest of you think.

P.S. I'm 47 years old and typically ride about 3 days a week, with each ride being around 20 ~ 60 miles.
Endurance cycling depletes T. However, 15 minutes of intense weights, crunches, sit-ups, squats will trigger a T increase to balance it.

All gym = T rage. All endurance = T depletion. gym + endurance = T balance.

This is my impression based on a lot of reading in the muscle and fitness literature last year.
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Old 08-30-17 | 11:09 PM
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Originally Posted by BillyD
Hmmm that's peculiar, I hear shaving your legs drops it by 50% as well.
But shaving your arms increases it, right?
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Old 08-31-17 | 01:39 AM
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...if you're genuinely interested in increasing your testosterone levels, just use the injectable stuff. Or, you could "eat some beefsteak", if you know what I mean.
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Old 08-31-17 | 05:01 AM
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Originally Posted by Stormsedge
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OK Toby.
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Old 09-01-17 | 09:12 AM
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Originally Posted by Sangetsu
I think the other health benefits outweigh any variance in testosterone levels. Studies are inconclusive at best, and completely wrong more often than not. Many of the health studies that were used to determine mainstream policy in health and fitness in my youth have since been refuted. Extremely few studies in health and other sciences have withstood the test of time. If you like riding, and it makes you feel good, then go out and ride.
Studies have been conclusive across the board. T peaks at some point after intense exercise. The more you exercise after a period of intensity T levels decrease as has been shown by research. Dont know what "few studies" you mean since studies have proven otherwise.

Last edited by kokol; 09-01-17 at 09:18 AM.
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Old 09-01-17 | 12:20 PM
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Originally Posted by EnsitMike
I believe all physical activity temporarily boosts testosterone levels. I think it is minor though, as in only several hours.
What about loading/unloading the dishwasher, folding towels, etc?

#NoComplaintsHere
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Old 09-02-17 | 05:47 AM
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no idea on the science, but when i come back from riding all i want to do is screw. so I'd say riding increases T. Unfortunately I'm single, so, um, yeah....this is probably too much information haha

Matt
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