Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry

, Volume 66, Issue 2, pp 137–142 | Cite as

SHBG, plasma, and urinary androgens in weight lifters after a strength training

  • Marcos Maynar
  • Rafael Timon
  • Alfredo González
  • Guillermo Olcina
  • Fermin Toribio
  • Juan I. Maynar
  • Maria J. Caballero
Original Paper
First Online:
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

Previous studies with different results have suggested that total and bioavailable testosterone levels are modified by physical exercise. Such changes may be related to modifications in cortisol levels and could be reflected in some urine androgens. To determine how weight lifting training may affect serum and urinary androgens, we measured total serum testosterone (T), cortisol, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and urinary testosterone, epitestosterone, androsterone, and etiocholanolone, in a group of 19 elite weight lifters after 20 weeks of training. SHBG increased (from 27.5 ± 9.5 to 34.7 ± 8.1 nM, p < 0.05) whereas T/SHBG decreased significantly (from 1.10 ± 0.4 to 0.85 ± 0.3, p < 0.05). Serum total testosterone and cortisol did not change significantly. In urine, androsterone and etiocholanolone decreased significantly, whereas testosterone and epitestosterone remained unchanged. Changes in T/SHBG were related positively with changes in urinary androgens (r = 0.680, p < 0.01), and changes in SHBG were negatively related with changes in urinary androgens (r = −0.578, p < 0.01). These results suggest that intense physical activity may have an influence on the elimination of androgenic hormones due mainly to changes in their transporting protein SHBG.

Keywords

Urinary androgens SHBG FAI Weight lifters Strength training 
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Copyright information

© University of Navarra 2010

Authors and Affiliations

  • Marcos Maynar
    • 1
  • Rafael Timon
    • 2
  • Alfredo González
    • 1
  • Guillermo Olcina
    • 2
  • Fermin Toribio
    • 3
  • Juan I. Maynar
    • 3
  • Maria J. Caballero
    • 4
  1. 1.Department of Physiology, Sport Sciences FacultyUniversity of ExtremaduraCáceresSpain
  2. 2.Department of Physical Education and Sport, Sport Sciences FacultyUniversity of ExtremaduraCáceresSpain
  3. 3.Department of Analytical Chemistry, Sciences FacultyUniversity of ExtremaduraBadajozSpain
  4. 4.Department of Pharmacology, Medicine FacultyUniversity of ExtremaduraBadajozSpain

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