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. 2020 Jul 3;4(9):bvaa090.
doi: 10.1210/jendso/bvaa090. eCollection 2020 Sep 1.

Effects of Testosterone on Serum Concentrations, Fat-free Mass, and Physical Performance by Population: A Meta-analysis

Alyssa N Varanoske  1   2 , Lee M Margolis  1 , Stefan M Pasiakos  1
Affiliations

Effects of Testosterone on Serum Concentrations, Fat-free Mass, and Physical Performance by Population: A Meta-analysis

Alyssa N Varanoske et al. J Endocr Soc. .

Abstract

Testosterone (T) administration (TA) increases serum T and fat-free mass (FFM). Although TA-mediated increases in FFM may enhance physical performance, the data are largely equivocal, which may be due to differences in study populations, the magnitude of change in serum T and FFM, or the performance metrics. This meta-analysis explored effects of TA on serum T, FFM, and performance. Associations between increases in serum T and FFM were assessed, and whether changes in serum T or FFM, study population, or the performance metrics affected performance was determined. A systematic review of double-blind randomized trials comparing TA versus placebo on serum T, FFM, and performance was performed. Data were extracted from 20 manuscripts. Effect sizes (ESs) were assessed using Hedge's g and a random effects model. Data are presented as ES (95% confidence interval). No significant correlation between changes in serum T and FFM was observed (P = .167). Greater increases in serum T, but not FFM, resulted in larger effects on performance. Larger increases in testosterone (7.26 [0.76-13.75]) and FFM (0.80 [0.20-1.41]) were observed in young males, but performance only improved in diseased (0.16 [0.05-0.28]) and older males (0.19 [0.10-0.29]). TA increased lower body (0.12 [0.07-0.18]), upper body (0.26 [0.11-0.40]), and handgrip (0.13 [0.04-0.22]) strength, lower body muscular endurance (0.38 [0.09-0.68]), and functional performance (0.20 [0.00-0.41]), but not lower body power or aerobic endurance. TA elicits increases in serum T and FFM in younger, older, and diseased males; however, the performance-enhancing effects of TA across studies were small, observed mostly in muscular strength and endurance, and only in older and diseased males.

Keywords: age; body composition; disease; muscle mass; power; strength.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Selection process for manuscripts included in the meta-analysis.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Forest plot of the effects of testosterone administration versus placebo on serum testosterone concentrations in different populations. DIS, diseased males; OLD, older males (>60 years); YNG, younger males (<60 years).
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Forest plot of the effects of testosterone administration versus placebo on fat-free mass (FFM) in different populations. DIS, diseased males; OLD, older males (>60 years); YNG, younger males (<60 years).
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Forest plot of the effects of testosterone administration versus placebo on physical performance in different populations. DIS, diseased males; OLD, older males (>60 years); YNG, younger males (<60 years).
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Forest plot of the effects of testosterone administration versus placebo on physical performance based on performance metric type.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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