Research in Sport Medicine and Technology

The purpose of this study was to survey effects of twelve weeks endurance training on serum levels of selected hormones in underweight men. Eighteen healthy underweight men were randomly divided at two groups: endurance training and control. Serum levels of adiponectin, testosterone, and cortisol were assessed before and after training. Endurance training protocol consisted of twelve weeks pedaling on cycle ergometer (3 sessions per week, intensity 60-70% of reserved heart rate, duration of each session 20-40 min). Data were analyzed by SPSS16 software and using Independent and Paired t-tests. Statistical significance was accepted at P<0.05. Endurance training has no significant effect on serum concentrations of adiponectin (14.4±2.4 vs. 13.9±1.8 &mu;g/ml) and cortisol (178.2±48.7 vs. 167.3±39.6 ng/ml) (p>0.05), while decreased serum testosterone concentration (8.2±1.6 vs. 7.2±1.8 ng/ml) (p=0.032) and increased VO2max index (p=0.008). Performing endurance training twelve weeks has no effect on serum adiponectin concentration in underweight men, likely due to lack of change in body fat percent. It doesn’t appear that decrease of circulating levels of testosterone following this period training has detrimental effects on anabolic-androgenic testosterone-dependent processes, and even according to previous studies, it can be useful for cardiovascular health. Anyway, cardio respiratory fitness level of underweight men improved following the endurance training. It doesn’t appear that endurance training has effect on resting (non-exercise condition) levels of cortisol concentration in underweight men.