Acute Testosterone and Cortisol responses to different strength training workouts in strength athletes.

The aim was to monitor the acute hormonal responses to different strength training sessions on strength and power athletes. Eighteen experienced strength trained males (age= 24.8 ± 4.3 years, body weight= 78.7 ± 11.8 kg, height= 178.5 ± 4.9 cm) performed an hypertrophy (5 set of 10 reps, 70% 1RM, 2 min. rest period), a maximal strength (5 set of 3 reps, 90% 1RM, 3 min. rest period) and a power workout (5 sets of 5 reps 50% 1RM, explosive intent, 3 min. rest period). Each training session was conducted at the same time of day and was composed by the same strength exercises while load volume was not equated. Testosterone and cortisol levels were detected prior and post each training workouts using salivary samples. Repeated measures ANOVA were used to examine hormone concentrations across each different training session. Salivary cortisol didn’t change significantly with any training scheme. Testosterone levels increased significantly (+ 24.2 %, p < 0.05) after power training (table 1). Increases in testosterone levels were not significant with hypertrophy and maximal strength schemes. These results indicate that high power resistance exercise protocols produce greater increase of testosterone than maximal strength and hypertrophy schemes. Results of this study suggested the importance of power training sessions inserted into a resistance training program to activate the endocrine system in trained athletes.