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Chronic Exposure to Normobaric Hypoxia Increases Testosterone Levels and Testosterone/Cortisol Ratio in Cyclists

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  • Miłosz Czuba

    (Faculty of Rehabilitation, Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, 00-968 Warsaw, Poland
    Department of Sports Theory, Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, 40-065 Katowice, Poland)

  • Kamila Płoszczyca

    (Department of Kinesiology, Institute of Sport, 01-982 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Katarzyna Kaczmarczyk

    (Faculty of Rehabilitation, Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, 00-968 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Józef Langfort

    (Department of Sports Theory, Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, 40-065 Katowice, Poland)

  • Robert Gajda

    (Center for Sports Cardiology, Gajda-Med Medical Center in Pultusk, 06-100 Pultusk, Poland
    Department of Kinesiology and Health Prevention, Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa, 42-200 Czestochowa, Poland)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of the “live high, train low” method (LH–TL) and intermittent hypoxic training (IHT) on testosterone (T) and cortisol (C) levels in cyclists. Thirty cyclists participated in the experiment. The LH–TL group ( n = 10) was exposed to normobaric hypoxia (FiO 2 = 16.3%) for 11–12 h a day and trained in normoxia for 3 weeks. In the IHT group ( n = 10), participants followed the IHT routine three times a week for 3 weeks in normobaric hypoxia (FiO 2 = 16.3%). The control group (N; n = 10) followed the same training protocol in normoxia. The LH–TL training was found to significantly increase ( p < 0.05) T levels and the testosterone/cortisol (T/C) ratio during the experiment. The area under the curve (AUC) calculated for T levels over 4 weeks was significantly ( p < 0.05) higher in the LH–TL group, by 25.6%, compared to the N group. The results also indicated a significant correlation (r = 0.53; p < 0.05) between AUC for T levels over 4 weeks and ∆ values of hemoglobin (HGB) in the LH–TL group. Overall, the findings show that LH–TL training at a moderate simulated altitude contributes to an increase in T levels and T/C ratio in athletes, which is a beneficial change stimulating anabolic processes and erythropoiesis.

Suggested Citation

  • Miłosz Czuba & Kamila Płoszczyca & Katarzyna Kaczmarczyk & Józef Langfort & Robert Gajda, 2022. "Chronic Exposure to Normobaric Hypoxia Increases Testosterone Levels and Testosterone/Cortisol Ratio in Cyclists," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-16, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:9:p:5246-:d:802243
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rafael Timon & Guillermo Olcina & Paulino Padial & Juan Bonitch-Góngora & Ismael Martínez-Guardado & Cristina Benavente & Blanca de la Fuente & Belen Feriche, 2022. "Effects of Resistance Training in Hypobaric vs. Normobaric Hypoxia on Circulating Ions and Hormones," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-11, March.
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