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Resting serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate level increases after 8-week resistance training among young females

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Abstract

This study examined changes among young females of resting serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) concentration after an 8-week period of resistance training. Nineteen healthy untrained young females [training group: age 18.9 (0.3) years, n=10, control group: age 19.3 (1.0) years, n=9; mean (SD)] were recruited in this study. The training group participated in an 8-week resistance training program (2 days per week on nonconsecutive days). The control group did not involve in any resistance training or regular exercise during the study period. Muscular strength, anthropometry, and resting hormonal levels were measured before and after training in both groups. Serum concentrations of DHEAS, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), testosterone and cortisol were measured by radioimmunoassay. Body mass (2.4%) and lean body mass (2.4%) were significantly increased in the training group (P<0.05), but not in the control group. The training also significantly increased one-repetition maximum (1-RM) values (P<0.05). In the training group, resting concentration of serum DHEAS significantly increased after training (P<0.05). Percent change of DHEAS in the training group was greater than that of the control group (P<0.05). In the training group, the change of DHEAS level was positively correlated with the change of lean body mass during the training (r=0.61; P<0.05). Serum DHEA, testosterone and cortisol concentrations did not change in either group during the training. The dramatic increase of resting serum DHEAS concentration after training indicates that DHEAS might be an anabolic hormone marker of adaptation to resistance training among young females. Results are presented as mean (SD).

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by a grant-in-aid for scientific research (14580013) from the Ministry of Education Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in Japan. We thank those women who participated as test subjects in this investigation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Doctoral Program in Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tennodai 1-1-1, Tsukuba, 305-8574, Ibaraki, Japan

    Katsuji Aizawa, Hironobu Inoue & Fuminori Kimura

  2. Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Komaba 3-8-1, Meguro, 135-8902, Tokyo, Japan

    Takayuki Akimoto

  3. Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tennodai 1-1-1, Tsukuba, 305-8574, Ibaraki, Japan

    Mihyun Joo

  4. College of Medical Technology and Nursing, University of Tsukuba, Tennodai 1-1-1, Tsukuba, 305-0006, Ibaraki, Japan

    Fumie Murai

  5. Institute of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tennodai 1-1-1, Tsukuba, 305-8574, Ibaraki, Japan

    Noboru Mesaki

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  1. Katsuji Aizawa
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  2. Takayuki Akimoto
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  3. Hironobu Inoue
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  4. Fuminori Kimura
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  5. Mihyun Joo
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  6. Fumie Murai
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  7. Noboru Mesaki
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Correspondence to Noboru Mesaki.

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Aizawa, K., Akimoto, T., Inoue, H. et al. Resting serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate level increases after 8-week resistance training among young females. Eur J Appl Physiol 90, 575–580 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-003-0912-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-003-0912-5

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