Does road cycling boost or decrease testosterone?
 

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.

If your SO is complaining, yes, if not, then no. If you're complaining...that's a different matter :p

Maybe ask your doctor?

I believe all physical activity temporarily boosts testosterone levels. I think it is minor though, as in only several hours.

Maybe yes :thumb:

but then, maybe no :foo:

You could perform a test for us.

They did a study on this with runners. They found that testosterone increases initially. But as you run extensively afterwards your T decreses significantly.

Depends on whether your stem is slammed or not.

My .02: My doctor tells me that if I exercise more on any level, and especially if I engage the larger muscle groups (quads, back, etc), my testosterone level will go up. However, as mentioned above, anything in excess/to the extreme can deliver different results...

According to the study T count lowers the longer you exercise, and more significantly as your stress your body during exercise.

If you want a RX for T maybe just ask your MD.

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.

I don't think it made any difference to mine.

Feeling good is most important, isn't it?
Andreas

It drops by up to 50% as soon as you squeeze into lycra.

this ^^^^
looking at T level before and after a ride is silly. What matters is if you transform your body from mush to lean muscle your average T will increase.

Do you like to bicycle? If yes, don't worry about the testosterone thing. Some will be affected negatively, others won't.

Seems that it took 14 posts to get to the truth here :-)

dave

I've read that excessive endurance training lowers T levels...and high-intensity weight lifting (like lifting really heavy) raises it. Your T level naturally declines as you age anyway.

This guys explains it well:

Heavy weight training increases t, consistent heavy training for over a year raises your t baseline.
Endurance training does not increase t.

You sure about that?
So your theory is that two twins - one an endurance athlete, one a sedentary individual - will have no difference in testosterone levels throughout their bodies?

I think endurance training, as part of an active lifestyle, will absolutely ensure that your T is at a level where it's 'supposed to be.'
I think too much or too little endurance training can have a negative impact on hormone levels.
And I also think that unless there is something *else* causing concern, you shouldn't worry about what riding a bike does to your T levels. That being said, if something else is causing concern, you should probably discuss it with your doctor...

The main cause of "Low T". (I hate that term) is excess fat (especially belly fat) and inactivity.

So to the extent that cycling gets rid of fat and is activity, in general it will raise your testosterone.

That said, I do understand that if you already have lost the belly fat and are active, ultra endurance cycling may drop it a smidge.

Bottom line: ride more, worry less.

I am not a medical doctor, and unless you were a specialist I doubt you would have the specific knowledge.
What I do know is based on reading, and applying, information. The human body is incredibly efficient at being what you need it to be. It will become what you train it to be, with results varying depending on individual profiles. It only changes if enough effort is applied, either aerobic or anaerobic.
I train with weights but I do not go to a gym. I have in the past but I have neither the inclination or time right now. My workouts are in the dungeon,4 exercises supersetted with reasonably heavy weights, alternating workouts 2 on one off, 15-20 minutes max. Just enough to build/maintain my 48 year old body. Easy enough to find 20 minutes.
I ride as much as I can, usually an hour at a time at a fairly high level of intensity. It's not the cycling that's bulked me up.
There's so much more but its time to visit the animals at the zoo.

Hmmm that's peculiar, I hear shaving your legs drops it by 50% as well.

Per leg.