Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Andrological aspects of physical exercise and sport medicine

  • Mini Review
  • Published:
Endocrine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Appropriate physical activity is one of the bases of healthy lifestyle. In fact, physical exercise and playing sport may be associated with both improvements and injury to both general and reproductive health. A biologically normal testosterone secretion appears fundamental in males to guarantee both a physiological exercise adaptation and safe sport participation. The reproductive system is highly sensitive to the effects of exercise-related stress and the reproductive hormones may both increase and decrease after different acute or chronic exercises. Exercise and sport participation may positively or negatively influence andrological health status depending on the type, intensity and duration of performed physical activity and on individual health status. In addition, prohibited substances administration (e.g. androgenic–anabolic steroids, and so forth) in competitive and non-competitive athletes represents the main cause of iatrogenic andrological diseases. Preventing and treating andrological problems in active healthy and unhealthy individuals is as important as promoting a correct lifestyle. Physicians need to be educated on the relationships between the male reproductive system and sport participation and on the great role of the pre-participation physical examination in the prevention of andrological diseases.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. A.C. Hackney, Stress and the neuroendocrine system: the role of exercise as a stressor and modifier of stress. Expert Rev. Endocrinol. Metab. 1, 783–792 (2006)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. S. Hasani-Ranjbar, E. Soleymani Far, R. Heshmat, H. Rajabi, H. Kosari, Time course responses of serum GH, insulin, IGF-1, IGFBP1, and IGFBP3 concentrations after heavy resistance exercise in trained and untrained men. Endocrine 41, 144–151 (2012)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. M. Zitzmann, Effects of testosterone replacement and its pharmacogenetics on physical performance and metabolism. Asian J. Androl. 10, 364–372 (2008)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. S. Bhasin, L. Woodhouse, R. Casaburi, A.B. Singh, D. Bhasin, N. Berman, X. Chen, K.E. Yarasheski, L. Magliano, C. Dzekov, J. Dzekov, R. Bross, J. Phillips, I. Sinha-Hikim, R. Shen, T.W. Storer, Testosterone dose-response relationships in healthy young men. Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab. 281, E1172–E1181 (2001)

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. B.T. Crewther, C. Cook, M. Cardinale, R.P. Weatherby, T. Lowe, Two emerging concepts for elite athletes: the short-term effects of testosterone and cortisol on the neuromuscular system and the dose-response training role of these endogenous hormones. Sports Med. 41, 103–123 (2011)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. L. Di Luigi, C. Baldari, M. Gallotta, F. Perroni, F. Romanelli, A. Lenzi, L. Guidetti, Salivary steroids at rest and after a training load in young male athletes: relationship with chronological age and pubertal development. Int. J. Sports Med. 27, 709–717 (2006)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. G.F. Gonzales, V. Tapia, M. Gasco, J. Rubio, C. Gonzales-Castañeda, High serum zinc and serum testosterone levels were associated with excessive erythrocytosis in men at high altitudes. Endocrine 40, 472–480 (2011)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. A.M. Isidori, E. Giannetta, E.A. Greco, D. Gianfrilli, V. Bonifacio, A. Isidori, A. Lenzi, A. Fabbri, Effects of testosterone on body composition, bone metabolism and serum lipid profile in middle-aged men: a meta-analysis. Clin. Endocrinol. 63, 280–293 (2005)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. E. Nieschlag, H.M. Behre, P. Bouchard, J.J. Corrales, T.H. Jones, G.K. Stalla, S.M. Webb, F.C. Wu, Testosterone replacement therapy: current trend and future directions. Hum. Reprod. Update 10, 409–419 (2004)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. R. Timon, G. Olcina, P. Tomas-Carus, A. Raimundo, J.I. Maynar, M. Maynar, Urinary endogenous steroids and their relationships with BMD and body composition in healthy young males. Endocrine. (2012). doi:10.1007/s12020-012-9604-4

  11. M. Zitzmann, E. Nieschlag, Effects of androgen replacement on metabolism and physical performances in male hypogonadism. J. Endocrinol. Invest. 26, 886–892 (2003)

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. B. Crewther, J. Keogh, J. Cronin, C. Cook, Possible stimuli for strength and power adaptation: acute hormonal responses. Sports Med. 36, 215–238 (2006)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. F. Derbré, S. Vincent, B. Maitel, C. Jacob, P. Delamarche, A. Delamarche, H. Zouhal, Androgen responses to sprint exercise in young men. Int. J. Sports Med. 31, 291–297 (2010)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. M.S. Tremblay, J.L. Copeland, W. Van Helder, Influence of exercise duration on post-exercise steroid hormone responses in trained males. Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. 94, 505–513 (2005)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. W.J. Kraemer, N.A. Ratamess, Hormonal responses and adaptations to resistance exercise and training. Sports Med. 35, 339–361 (2005)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. J.L. Vingren, W.J. Kraemer, N.A. Ratamess, J.M. Anderson, J.S. Volek, C.M. Maresh, Testosterone physiology in resistance exercise and training: the up-stream regulatory elements. Sports Med. 40, 1037–1053 (2010)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. V.D. Sherk, K.A. Sherk, S. Kim, K.C. Young, D.A. Bemben, Hormone responses to a continuous bout of rock climbing in men. Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. 111, 687–693 (2011)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. K. Kuoppasalmi, Plasma testosterone and sex-hormone-binding globulin capacity in physical exercise. Scand. J. Clin. Lab. Invest. 40, 411–418 (1980)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. J.E. Wilkerson, S.M. Horvath, B. Gutin, Plasma testosterone during treadmill exercise. J. Appl. Physiol. 49, 249–253 (1980)

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. D.C. Cumming, L.A. Brunsting, G. Strich, A.L. Ries, R.W. Rebar, Reproductive hormone increases in response to acute exercise in men. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 18, 369–373 (1986)

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. A. Dessypris, K. Kuoppasalmi, H. Adlercreutz, Plasma cortisol, testosterone, androstenedione and luteinizing hormone (LH) in a non-competitive marathon run. J. Steroid Biochem. 7, 33–37 (1976)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. A.N. Elias, A.F. Wilson, Exercise and gonadal function. Hum. Reprod. 8, 1747–1761 (1993)

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. K. Kuoppasalmi, H. Naveri, S. Rehunen, M. Harkonen, H. Adlercreutz, Effect of strenuous anaerobic running exercise on plasma growth hormone, cortisol, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, androstenedione, estrone and estradiol. J. Steroid Biochem. 7, 823–829 (1976)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. L. Di Luigi, L. Guidetti, C. Baldari, A. Fabbri, C. Moretti, F. Romanelli, Physical stress and qualitative gonadotropin secretion: LH biological activity at rest and after exercise in trained and untrained men. Int. J. Sports Med. 23, 307–312 (2002)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. M. Grandys, J. Majerczak, K. Duda, J. Zapart-Bukowska, J. Kulpa, J.A. Zoladz, Endurance training of moderate intensity increases testosterone concentration in young, healthy men. Int. J. Sports Med. 30, 489–495 (2009)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. J.P. Ahtiainen, J.J. Hulmi, W.J. Kraemer, M. Lehti, K. Nyman, H. Selänne, M. Alen, A. Pakarinen, J. Komulainen, V. Kovanen, A.A. Mero, K. Häkkinen, Heavy resistance exercise training and skeletal muscle androgen receptor expression in younger and older men. Steroids 76, 183–192 (2011)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. A.C. Hackney, Effects of endurance exercise on the reproductive system of men: the “exercise-hypogonadal male condition”. J. Endocrinol. Invest. 31, 932–938 (2008)

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. M.R. Safarinejad, K. Azma, A.A. Kolahi, The effects of intensive, long-term treadmill running on reproductive hormones, hypothalamus-pituitary-testis axis, and semen quality: a randomized controlled study. J. Endocrinol. 200, 259–271 (2009)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. M. Duclos, Effects of physical training on endocrine functions. Ann. Endocrinol. 62, 19–32 (2001)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. M. Maynar, R. Timon, A. González, G. Olcina, F. Toribio, J.I. Maynar, M.J. Caballero, SHBG, plasma, and urinary androgens in weight lifters after a strength training. J. Physiol. Biochem. 66, 137–142 (2010)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. B.C. Nindl, W.J. Kraemer, D.R. Deaver, J.L. Peters, J.O. Marx, J.T. Heckman, J.A. Lumis, LH secretion and testosterone concentrations are blunted after resistance exercise in men. J. Appl. Physiol. 91, 1251–1258 (2001)

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. G.D. Wheeler, S.R. Wall, A.N. Belcastro, D.C. Cumming, Reduced serum testosterone and prolactin levels in male distance runners. JAMA 252, 514–516 (1982)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. J.C. Arce, M.J. De Souza, L.S. Pescatelo, A.A. Luciano, Subclinical alterations in hormone and semen profile in athletes. Fertil. Steril. 59, 398–404 (1993)

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. M.J. De Souza, J.C. Arce, L.S. Pescatello, H.S. Scherzer, A.A. Luciano, Gonadal hormones and semen quality in male runners. A volume threshold effect of endurance training. Int. J. Sports Med. 15, 383–391 (1994)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. A. Lucia, J.L. Chicharro, M. Perez, L. Serratosa, F. Bandres, J.C. Legido, Reproductive function in male endurance athletes: sperm analysis and hormonal profile. J. Appl. Physiol. 81, 2627–2636 (1996)

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. A.C. Roberts, R.D. McClure, R.I. Weiner, G.A. Brooks, Overtraining affects male reproductive status. Fertil. Steril. 60, 686–692 (1993)

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. J.W. Ayers, Y. Komesu, T. Romani, R. Ansbacher, Anthropomorphic, hormonal, and psychologic correlates of semen quality in endurance-trained male athletes. Fertil. Steril. 43, 917–921 (1985)

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. C.J. Bagatell, W.J. Bremner, Sperm counts and reproductive hormones in male marathoners and lean controls. Fertil. Steril. 53, 688–692 (1990)

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. M.J. De Souza, B.E. Miller, The effect of endurance training on reproductive function in male runners. A ‘volume threshold’ hypothesis. Sports Med. 23, 357–374 (1997)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. D. Vaamonde, M.E. Da Silva-Grigoletto, J.M. García-Manso, R. Vaamonde-Lemos, R.J. Swanson, S.C. Oehninger, Response of semen parameters to three training modalities. Fertil. Steril. 92, 1941–1946 (2009)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. L.A. Wise, D.W. Cramer, M.D. Hornstein, R.K. Ashby, S.A. Missmer, Physical activity and semen quality among men attending an infertility clinic. Fertil. Steril. 95, 1025–1030 (2011)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. F. Pelliccione, V. Verratti, A. D’Angeli, A. Micillo, C. Doria, A. Pezzella, G. Iacutone, F. Francavilla, C. Di Giulio, S. Francavilla, Physical exercise at high altitude is associated with a testicular dysfunction leading to reduced sperm concentration but healthy sperm quality. Fertil. Steril. 96, 28–33 (2011)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. B. Koch, S. Glaser, C. Schaper, A. Krebs, M. Nauck, M. Dorr, R. Haring, H. Volzke, S.B. Felix, R. Ewert, H. Wallaschofski, N. Friedrich, Association between serum testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin and exercise capacity in men: results of the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP). J. Androl. 32, 135–143 (2011)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. E. Darby, B.D. Anawalt, Male hypogonadism: an update on diagnosis and treatment. Treat. Endocrinol. 4, 293–309 (2005)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. E. Orwoll, L.C. Lambert, L.M. Marshall, J. Blank, E. Barrett-Connor, J. Cauley, K. Ensrud, S.R. Cummings, Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study Group. Endogenous testosterone levels, physical performance, and fall risk in older men. Arch. Intern. Med. 166, 2124–2131 (2006)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. A.D. Seftel, Male hypogonadism. Part I: epidemiology of hypogonadism. Int. J. Impot. Res. 18, 115–120 (2006)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. L. Di Luigi, P. Sgrò, V. Fierro, S. Bianchini, G. Battistini, V. Magini, E.A. Jannini, A. Lenzi, Prevalence of undiagnosed testosterone deficiency in aging athletes: does exercise training influence the symptoms of male hypogonadism? J. Sex. Med. 7, 2591–2601 (2010)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. L. Di Luigi, P. Sgrò, F. Romanelli, M. Mazzarino, F. Donati, M.C. Braganò, S. Bianchini, V. Fierro, M. Casasco, F. Botrè, A. Lenzi, Urinary and serum hormones profiles after testosterone enanthate administration in male hypogonadism: concerns on the detection of doping with testosterone in treated hypogonadal athletes. J. Endocrinol. Invest. 32, 445–453 (2009)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. L. Di Luigi, P. Sgrò, A. Aversa, S. Migliaccio, S. Bianchini, F. Botrè, F. Romanelli, A. Lenzi, Concerns about serum androgens monitoring during testosterone replacement treatments in hypogonadal male athletes: a pilot study. J. Sex. Med. 9, 873–886 (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  50. L.J. Gooren, H.M. Behre, Testosterone treatment of hypogonadal men participating in competitive sport. Andrologia 40, 195–199 (2008)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. J.Y.W. Cheng, E.M.L. Ng, Body mass index, physical activity and erectile dysfunction: an U-shaped relationship from population-based study. Int. J. Obesity 31, 1571–1578 (2007)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. K. Esposito, F. Giugliano, C. Di Palo, G. Giugliano, R. Marfella, F. D’Andrea, M. D’Armiento, D. Giugliano, Effect of lifestyle changes on erectile dysfunction in obese men: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 291, 2978–2984 (2004)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. C. Gazzaruso, S.B. Solerte, A. Pujia, A. Coppola, M. Vezzoli, F. Salvucci, C. Valenti, A. Giustina, A. Garzaniti, Erectile dysfunction as a predictor of cardiovascular events and death in diabetic patients with angiographically proven asymptomatic coronary artery disease: a potential protective role for statins and 5-phosphodiesterase inhibitors. J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. 51, 2040–2044 (2008)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. C. Gazzaruso, A. Coppola, T. Montalcini, C. Valenti, A. Garzaniti, G. Pelissero, F. Salvucci, P. Gallotti, A. Pujia, C. Falcone, S.B. Solerte, A. Giustina, Erectile dysfunction can improve the effectiveness of the current guidelines for the screening for asymptomatic coronary artery disease in diabetes. Endocrine 40, 273–279 (2011)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. J.L. Hannan, M.T. Maio, M. Komolova, M.A. Adams, Beneficial impact of exercise and obesity interventions on erectile function and its risk factors. J. Sex. Med. 6(Suppl. 3), 254–261 (2009)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. K. Horasanli, U. Boylu, M. Kendirci, C. Miroglu, Do lifestyle changes work for improving erectile dysfunction? Asian J. Androl. 10, 28–35 (2008)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. C.W. Kratzik, J.E. Lackner, I. Märk, E. Rücklinger, J. Schmidbauer, G. Lunglmayr, G. Schatzl, How much physical activity is needed to maintain erectile function? Results of the Androx Vienna Municipality Study. Eur. Urol. 55, 509–516 (2009)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. S. La Vignera, R. Condorelli, E. Vicari, R. D’Agata, A. Calogero, Aerobic physical activity improves endothelial function in the middle-aged patients with erectile dysfunction. Aging Male 14, 265–272 (2011)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. D.R. Meldrum, J.C. Gambone, M.A. Morris, K. Esposito, D. Giugliano, L.J. Ignaro, Lifestyle and metabolic approaches to maximizing erectile and vascular health. Int. J. Impot. Res. 24, 61–68 (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  60. T.G. Travison, A.B. Araujo, V. Kupelian, A.B. O’Donnell, J.B. McKinlay, The relative contributions of aging, health, and lifestyle factors to serum testosterone decline in men. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 92, 549–555 (2007)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. S.T. Skarda, M.R. Burge, Prospective evaluation of risk factors for exercise-induced hypogonadism in male runners. West. J. Med. 169, 9–12 (1998)

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. N.J. Dettori, D.C. Norvell, Non-traumatic bicycle injuries: a review of the literature. Sports Med. 36, 7–18 (2006)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. I. Goldstein, A.L. Lurie, J.P. Lubisich, Bicycle riding, perineal trauma, and erectile dysfunction: data and solutions. Curr. Urol. Rep. 8, 491–497 (2007)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. V. Huang, R. Munarriz, I. Goldstein, Bicycle riding and erectile dysfunction: an increase in interest (and concern). J. Sex. Med. 2, 596–604 (2005)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. L. Di Luigi, A. Casini, F. Romanelli, F. Pigozzi, A. Parisi, I.G. Ricagni, F. Leonelli, G. Fortunio, A. Isidori, Role of sport medicine in andrological prevention. Med. Sport 47, 665–670 (1994)

    Google Scholar 

  66. E. Rigano, G. Santoro, P. Impellizzeri, P. Antonuccio, D. Fugazzotto, L. Bitto, C. Romeo, Varicocele and sport in the adolescent age. Preliminary report on the effects of physical training. J. Endocrinol. Invest. 27, 130–132 (2004)

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. A. Scaramuzza, R. Tavana, A. Marchi, Varicocele in young soccer players. Lancet 348, 1180–1181 (1996)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  68. L. Di Luigi, V. Gentile, F. Pigozzi, A. Parisi, D. Giannetti, F. Romanelli, Physical activity as a possible aggravating factor for athletes with varicocele: impact on the semen profile. Hum. Reprod. 16, 1180–1184 (2001)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  69. N. Zampieri, A. Dall’Agnola, Subclinical varicocele and sports: a longitudinal study. Urology 77, 1199–1202 (2011)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  70. L. Di Luigi, F. Romanelli, A. Casini, V. Gentile, A. Parisi, F. Leonelli, I.G. Ricagni, F. Pigozzi, Varicocele and sport: clinical management and sport eligibility in athletes. Med. Sport 48, 313–327 (1995)

    Google Scholar 

  71. S. Basaria, Androgen abuse in athletes: detection and consequences. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 95, 1533–1543 (2010)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  72. F. Hartgens, H. Kuipers, Effects of androgenic-anabolic steroids in athletes. Sports Med. 34, 513–554 (2004)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  73. L. Di Luigi, F. Romanelli, A. Lenzi, Androgenic-anabolic steroids abuse in males. J. Endocrinol. Invest. 28(3 suppl), 81–84 (2005)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  74. D.J. Handelsman, Androgen misuse and abuse. Best Pract. Res. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 25, 377–389 (2011)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  75. I. Pirola, C. Cappelli, A. Delbarba, T. Scalvini, B. Agosti, D. Assanelli, A. Sonetti, M. Castellano, Anabolic steroids purchased on the internet as a cause of prolonged hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Fertil. Steril. 94, 2331.e1–2331.e3 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  76. P. Laure, C. Binsinger, Doping prevalence among preadolescent athletes: a 4-year follow-up. Br. J. Sports Med. 41, 660–663 (2007)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  77. T.M. Smurawa, J.A. Congeni, Testosterone precursors: use and abuse in pediatric athletes. Pediatr. Clin. North Am. 54, 787–796 (2007)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  78. P. Van den Berg, D. Neumark-Sztainer, G. Cafri, M. Wall, Steroid use among adolescents: longitudinal findings from Project EAT. Pediatrics 119, 476–486 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  79. G.L. De Souza, J. Hallak, Anabolic steroids and male infertility: a comprehensive review. B.J.U. Int. 108, 1860–1865 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  80. T. Schürmeyer, U.A. Knuth, L. Belkien, E. Nieschlag, Reversible azoospermia induced by the anabolic steroid 19-nortestosterone. Lancet 8374, 417–420 (1984)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  81. J. Torres-Calleja, M. González-Unzaga, R. DeCelis-Carrillo, L. Calzada-Sánchez, N. Pedrón, Effect of androgenic anabolic steroids on sperm quality and serum hormone levels in adult male bodybuilders. Life Sci. 68, 1769–1774 (2001)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  82. H. Martikainen, M. Alén, P. Rahkila, R. Vihko, Testicular responsiveness to human chorionic gonadotrophin during transient hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism induced by androgenic/anabolic steroids in power athletes. J. Steroid Biochem. 25, 109–112 (1986)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  83. A. Drakeley, R. Gazvani, I. Lewis-Jones, Duration of azoospermia following anabolic steroids. Fertil. Steril. 81, 226 (2004)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  84. J.P. Jarow, L.I. Lipshultz, Anabolic steroid-induced hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Am. J. Sports Med. 18, 429–431 (1990)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  85. P.J. Turek, R.H. Williams, J.H. Gilbaugh 3rd, L.I. Lipshultz, The reversibility of anabolic steroid-induced azoospermia. J. Urol. 153, 1628–1630 (1995)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  86. R. Tan, D. Vasudevan, Use of clomiphene citrate to reverse premature andropause secondary to steroid abuse. Fertil. Steril. 79, 203–205 (2003)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  87. D.K. Menon, Successful treatment of anabolic steroid-induced azoospermia with human chorionic gonadotropin and human menopausal gonadotropin. Fertil. Steril. 79 (Suppl 3), 1659–1661 (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  88. E.A. Bocchi, G. Guimaraes, A. Mocelin, F. Bacal, G. Bellotti, J.F. Ramires, Sildenafil effects on exercise, neurohormonal activation, and erectile dysfunction in congestive heart failure: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study followed by a prospective treatment for erectile dysfunction. Circulation 106, 1097–1103 (2002)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  89. H.A. Ghofrani, R. Voswinckel, F. Reichenberger, H. Olschewski, P. Haredza, B. Karadas, R.T. Schermuly, N. Weissmann, W. Seeger, F. Grimminger, Differences in hemodynamic and oxygenation responses to three different phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension: a randomized prospective study. J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. 44, 1488–1496 (2004)

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  90. H.A. Ghofrani, F. Reichenberger, M.G. Kohstall, E.H. Mrosek, T. Seeger, H. Olschewski, W. Seeger, F. Grimminger, Sildenafil increased exercise capacity during hypoxia at low altitudes and at Mount Everest base camp: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial. Ann. Intern. Med. 141, 169–177 (2004)

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  91. A.R. Hsu, K.E. Barnholt, N.K. Grundmann, J.H. Lin, S.W. McCallum, A.L. Friedlander, Sildenafil improves cardiac output and exercise performance during acute hypoxia, but not normoxia. J. Appl. Physiol. 100, 2031–2040 (2006)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  92. J.P. Richalet, P. Gratadour, P. Robach, I. Pham, M. Dechaux, A. Joncquiert-Latarjet, P. Mollard, J. Brugniaux, J. Cornolo, Sildenafil inhibits altitude-induced hypoxemia and pulmonary hypertension. Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 171, 275–281 (2005)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  93. R.A. Kloner, M. Mitchell, J.T. Emmick, Cardiovascular effects of tadalafil. Am. J. Cardiol. 92, 37M–46M (2003)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  94. L. Di Luigi, C. Baldari, P. Sgrò, G.P. Emerenziani, M.C. Gallotta, S. Bianchini, F. Romanelli, F. Pigozzi, A. Lenzi, L. Guidetti, The type 5 phosphodiesterase inhibitor tadalafil influences salivary cortisol, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate responses to maximal exercise in healthy man. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 93, 3510–3514 (2008)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  95. L. Guidetti, G.P. Emerenziani, M.C. Gallotta, F. Pigozzi, L. Di Luigi, C. Baldari, Effect of tadalafil on anaerobic performance indices in healthy athletes. Br. J. Sports Med. 42, 130–133 (2008)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  96. L. Di Luigi, P. Sgrò, C. Baldari, M.C. Gallotta, G.P. Emerenziani, C. Crescioli, S. Bianchini, F. Romanelli, A. Lenzi, L. Guidetti, The phosphodiesterases type 5 inhibitor tadalafil reduces the activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis in men during cycle ergometric exercise. Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab. (2012). doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00573.2011

  97. S. Sabatini, P. Sgrò, G. Duranti, R. Ceci, L. Di Luigi, Tadalafil alters energy metabolism in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells. Acta Biochim. Pol. 58, 237–241 (2011)

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  98. D.E. Greydanus, D.R. Patel, E.F. Luckstead, H.D. Pratt, Value of sports pre-participation examination in health care for adolescents. Med. Sci. Monit. 10, RA204–RA214 (2004)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  99. L. Di Luigi, A. Pelliccia, A. Bonetti, G. Francavilla, G.P. Ganzit, A. Veicsteinas, D. Accettura, B. Bagnini, R. Cantore, W. Castagna, C. Ciacciarelli, G. Costini, B. Cuffari, E. Drago, V. Federici, C.G. Gribaudo, G. Iacovelli, L. Landolfi, G. Menichetti, U. Olla Atzeni, A. Parisi, A. Pizzi, M. Rosa, F. Santelli, F. Santilio, F. Culasso, Clinical efficacy and preventive role of the pre-partecipation physical examination in Italy: results of a national study on 32,652 athletes examined at the operative units of sports medicine associated with the Italian Federation of Sport Medicine (FMSI). Med. Sport 57, 243–270 (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  100. F. Minuto, A. Barreca, G. Melioli, Indirect evidences of hormone abuse. Proof of doping? J. Endocrinol. Invest. 26, 919–923 (2003)

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, Piazza Lauro de Bosis, 15, 00135, Rome, Italy

    Luigi Di Luigi & Paolo Sgrò

  2. Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome “Sapienza”, Viale Regina Elena, 324, 00161, Rome, Italy

    Francesco Romanelli & Andrea Lenzi

Authors
  1. Luigi Di Luigi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Francesco Romanelli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Paolo Sgrò
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Andrea Lenzi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Luigi Di Luigi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Di Luigi, L., Romanelli, F., Sgrò, P. et al. Andrological aspects of physical exercise and sport medicine. Endocrine 42, 278–284 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-012-9655-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-012-9655-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation