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How Exercise Really Affects Your Testosterone, According to Doctors

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How Exercise Really Affects Your Testosterone, According to Doctors

Working out regularly has a profound effect on all aspects of your health, including your heart and mental health. Exercise may also play a role in your testosterone levels—but exactly how it does that is a little complex.

‘Testosterone levels are affected by exercise but ongoing work is needed to really understand what is happening,’ says Edward Cherullo, M.D., chair of urology at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.

What we do know so far is that the relationship between exercise and testosterone depends on several factors. One is the type of workout you choose, says Brian McNeil, M.D., chief of urology at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. Over time, strength and resistance training have been shown to increase testosterone levels while cardio might not have as much of an effect.

It also depends on how intensely you’re working out and for how long, explains Anthony Hackney, Ph.D., D.Sc., a professor of exercise physiology and nutrition at the University of North Carolina, who’s studied exercise and testosterone for decades.

Testosterone, the main male sex hormone that’s produced by the testicles, is anabolic and does help you build muscle, Hackney says. (That’s one of its functions, anyway; it has many others.) But other hormones also contribute to muscle building and endurance.

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‘While testosterone is important, it’s not the only way the body decides to create an anabolic response,’ Hackney adds.

Exercise affects testosterone in other ways, too, Dr. McNeil adds. When you work out, you’ll improve your overall health and reduce your body fat, which he says can improve testosterone. Obesity is linked to low testosterone and other health problems.

‘All of these things put you in the best shape possible,’ he says. Here’s a closer look at how exercise affects your T levels.

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Does Working Out Affect Testosterone Levels?

Exercise does impact testosterone levels, but research suggests that the actual effect depends on several factors.

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‘Certain types of exercise done at certain volumes and intensity can lead to an elevation in testosterone, but you can also have certain types of exercise, certain volumes of intensity that can reduce testosterone,’ Hackney says. ‘So, there isn’t a universal, ‘Oh, I’m exercising, and I’m always going to see this testosterone response.”

Many studies looking at different types of exercises—including cardio, cycling, running, swimming, and weightlifting—and their effects on T levels have found different outcomes, explains Ahmed El-Zawahry, M.D., a urologist at the University of Toledo Medical Center.

‘If we are going to summarise the results of these studies in one easy statement, exercises do not significantly change testosterone level,’ he says.

Still, some exercises, especially weightlifting, can temporarily boost testosterone. But, Dr. El-Zawahry says the surge doesn’t last long.

Body composition and fitness level factor into how exercise affects your testosterone, too. A small 2016 study found that obese and overweight men saw a boost in their T levels when they increased their physical activity, more so than when they solely restricted calories.

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A 2018 study suggested that some male elite athletes had low testosterone concentrations, but the low T may be linked to higher cortisol levels in the blood from working out. The athletes studied are typically in good physical condition, with a lean body and no symptoms of low testosterone (which doctors say is often more important than your actual levels).

People with higher percentages of body fat and higher body weights are more likely to have low testosterone and experience symptoms, Dr. El-Zawahry adds.

‘You should exercise to keep your endurance, lean muscle, and low body fat, which will, in turn, keep you healthy,’ Dr. El-Zawahry says. This will reduce the risks of metabolic syndrome and reduce health issues associated with it—and those things keep testosterone at a healthy level, he adds.

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Which Exercises Impact Testosterone Most?

Research suggests that strength exercises and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can increase testosterone levels. Endurance-based exercises, like cardio, can potentially reduce testosterone.

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Even within resistance training, the ‘greater intensity and greater volume of work’ are more likely to elevate testosterone, Hackney says. For instance, if you’re lifting heavy weights with lots of sets over a 45-minute time period, you’ll see a bigger impact.

‘If they’re a casual resistance trainer, they’re probably not going to see any substantial mark in testosterone changes,’ he adds.

A 2016 study showed that starting resistance training with large muscle groups, like your chest and glutes, and progressing to small muscle groups, such as triceps and shoulders, produced the largest testosterone response. But no exercise is going to drive your T levels through the roof, and it won’t be a prolonged increase.

Testosterone levels usually increase transiently after weights and intense physical activity about 15 minutes to an hour after the workout, Dr. Cherullo said.

Mixing endurance and resistance training likely leads to a “zero-sum game,” when it comes to its effect on testosterone, Hackney says.

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Don’t worry so much about just focusing on resistance training because you think it raises your T. Dr. El-Zawahry says any exercise benefits your general health and helps you maintain a healthy body weight and T level.

While there’s research on the subject, Dr. McNeil says yoga and pilates, which incorporate aspects of strength training, likely have a positive impact on testosterone.

How Long Does the T Boost Last After Working Out?

The elevated testosterone that you see from working out is usually temporary—maybe an hour or so, Hackney says. Then, your T levels will return to normal.

‘However, you may feel a good boost of energy with exercise because of a surge in cortisol level rather than testosterone,’ Dr. El-Zawahry says.

Remember, too, that your testosterone levels naturally fluctuate during the day. By exercising, you’ll likely maintain a healthy weight and improve your cardiovascular functioning, which has positive effects on your testosterone.

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However, working out alone won’t cause a long-term increase in testosterone levels, Dr. El-Zawahry says.

Will Exercising Affect Your Testosterone Test?

Your testosterone levels tend to be the highest in the morning and then gradually drop throughout the day, Dr. Cherullo said. That’s why doctors typically test your T in the morning.

If you typically run in the morning or take 5 a.m. HIIT classes, it likely won’t affect your test results, Dr. McNeil says. So don’t skip your workout—it’s good for your T levels and your overall health.

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Erica Sweeney is a writer who mostly covers health, wellness and careers. She has written for The New York Times, HuffPost, Teen Vogue, Parade, Money, Business Insider and many more.

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Watch: Preity Zinta Crushes A Hardcore Workout At 50 And The Internet Is Impressed – News18

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Watch: Preity Zinta Crushes A Hardcore Workout At 50 And The Internet Is Impressed – News18

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Preity Zinta leaves no stone unturned when it comes to fitness, and her latest workout video is proof. Watch here.

Preity Zinta has shared her latest exercise regimen on social media.

Preity Zinta is known to follow a disciplined routine and consistent workouts, leaving no stone unturned when it comes to fitness. All thanks to her exercise regimen and balanced diet that she is truly ageing like fine wine. Maintaining a fit and toned physique, she has set a fitness benchmark at the age of 50. She recently took to her Instagram handle to share a workout video, proving that age is just a number. Let’s dive into her latest exercise regimen here.

Taking to her social media handle, Preity Zinta shared an inspiring working video, moving fans with her dedication towards a healthy lifestyle. She captioned the post, “It does not matter how long and how much you train over the years… One needs to keep changing it up so you can push your body further and harder.” She added, “Here I’m trying a new workout for a new project I’m working on with the one & only Yasmin Karachiwala (Celebrity fitness instructor). Hope I can inspire some of you to go to the gym now.”

Take a look at Preity Zinta’s workout video here.

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Wearing sleek black sportswear, Preity is shown in the video slaying several exercises while maintaining her distinctive natural shine and pulling her hair up into a high ponytail.

Take notes from Preity’s exercise regimen

Scrunches: To tone the abdominal muscles, perform core-focused crunches.

Cable curl: A technique for working the biceps with a cable machine.

Squats: Try this traditional bodyweight or weighted squat to work your legs and glutes.

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Crossover running plank: A version of the plank that uses a running motion to work the shoulders and core.

Arm pulldown: To strengthen the arms and back, pull down a resistance band or wire.

A side step to strengthen and stretch your inner thighs and hips is the side lunge stretch.

A few weeks ago, the Veer Zara actress shared another video from her workout session, writing, “A strong spine is a base for both good health & character (sin). Here is the hanging back extension on the Cadillac for spine mobility & strength. Joseph Pilates famously said, “You are as young as your spine is flexible.” So, whichever way possible, keep your spine flexible & keep pushing yourself the way Yasmin Karachiwala pushes me.”

The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!
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Research Links Exercise to Elderly Physical Capacity

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Research Links Exercise to Elderly Physical Capacity

“My thesis focuses on physical activity and physical capacity in older adults, including both healthy older adults and patients with severe hip osteoarthritis. I have examined the reliability of various field-based physical fitness tests, compared physical capacity between healthy older adults and those with hip osteoarthritis, and evaluated how exercise affects physical capacity in older adults and how total hip arthroplasty affects physical capacity in patients with hip osteoarthritis”, says Manne Godhe , PhD student at the Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery .

Which are the most important results?

“The most important results show that field-based physical fitness tests have generally good reliability for older adults and can be used in both research and clinical practice. Structured exercise programs of just eight weeks (twice weekly) provide significant improvements in muscular endurance, strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, and motor fitness in older adults”.

“Another key finding is that severe hip osteoarthritis significantly impairs physical function and activity levels compared to healthy older adults. Total hip arthroplasty leads to substantial improvements in both physical fitness and activity patterns. One year after surgery, patients achieved international physical activity recommendations”.

How can this new knowledge contribute to the improvement of people’s health?

“This knowledge can help promote exercise for older adults in community care, recreational activities, and healthcare. Simple, cost-effective field tests enable better evaluation of physical functions in older adults and allow monitoring of changes over time. For end-stage hip osteoarthritis patients, this knowledge can improve rehabilitation strategies and set realistic recovery expectations after surgery”.

“The results also emphasize the importance of regular physical activity for maintaining health and function in older adults and demonstrate that even short-term exercise interventions can provide meaningful benefits for this population”.

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What are your future ambitions?

“In the future, I want to continue research on how exercise can be optimized for different groups of older adults. I also want to develop and validate more field-based tests that can be implemented in clinical practice and preventive healthcare”.

Dissertation

Friday May 23, 2025 at 09:00, GIH, Lidingövägen 1

Thesis

Physical Activity and Fitness Measurements in Healthy Older Adults and Osteoarthrities Patients Undergoing Total Hip Arthroplasty

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The worst time to exercise for a good night’s sleep

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The worst time to exercise for a good night’s sleep

Need a good night’s sleep? Cut back on exercising in the evening.
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If you’d like to sleep well tonight, you should probably avoid exercising this evening, especially if your workout will be intense.

That’s the takeaway from a new study of almost 15,000 active men and women. It found that exercising within about four hours of bedtime makes it harder to fall asleep and reduces how long you spend slumbering by as much as 43 minutes.

The effects were most pronounced when workouts were long, intense or both, but almost any evening exercise influenced how well people slept.

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“I do my best now to avoid exercising late in the evening,” said Josh Leota, a researcher at Monash University in Australia, who led the new study.

But there may be ways to minimize the effects if evening happens to be the only time you can — or care to — work out.

The link between exercise and sleep

For decades, researchers have been puzzled by the relationship between sleep and exercise. According to most past research, active people sleep better than the sedentary, but not always. Some studies suggest morning workouts improve sleep, while later workouts don’t, but others seem to show any movement, at any time, helps people nod off earlier.

Most of these studies have been quite small, though, often involving fewer than 20 volunteers, and relied on people’s memories of when and how they worked out and snoozed.

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So for the new study, published in April in Nature Communications, researchers at Monash teamed up with the activity-tracker maker Whoop to parse anonymized data from 14,689 men and women aged 18 to 87 who’d worn a Whoop tracker for at least a year. (Whoop provided access to the data but “did not have any input into the analysis or results,” Leota said.)

The records included extensive details about when and how intensely people exercised every day, based on their heart rates, and also how well they’d slept that night, including when they’d nodded off, how long they’d remained asleep and the overall quality of their slumber.

36 extra minutes to fall asleep

The researchers were interested in how late-day exercise changes sleep — since previous studies had so often disagreed with one another. They first categorized people’s workouts as light, moderate, hard or maximal, corresponding, in broad terms, to a brisk walk, easy jog, long run or prolonged high-intensity interval training. They also took note of when people worked out and mapped their sleep.

Then they cross-checked. Did people sleep better or worse after they worked out close to bedtime? What if the exercise was gentle? What if they pushed themselves?

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The answers consistently showed that “later exercise timing and higher exercise strain” were each strongly linked to worse sleep, the scientists wrote in the study. Even relatively modest evening workouts, such as light weight training or a gentle gym class, could somewhat disrupt sleep.

But the impacts intensified along with the intensity. If people ran an after-hours half-marathon or played a rousing late-night soccer, hockey or basketball game within about two hours of their usual bedtime, they needed an average of 36 extra minutes to fall asleep.

Finish that same strenuous exercise even later at night, after someone’s usual bedtime by an hour or two, and he or she would need an extra 80 minutes to doze off.

People also slept less, in total, after hard, evening exercise, and the quality of their sleep declined, with frequent waking, tossing and turning.

How to wind down after a late workout

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The researchers didn’t look at why this happens, but they suspect people were too wound up, physiologically. Participants’ tracker data showed their heart rates were still elevated hours after strenuous evening exercise, while, at the same time, their heart rate variability, which should be somewhat high, remained stubbornly low.

In essence, Leota, said, people got too pumped up by vigorous, late-night workouts to easily drift off or stay asleep. “A basic rule of thumb,” he said, “is the harder you work out, the more time you need to give yourself to recover before going to sleep.”

If you do need to exercise late in the evening, you might want to try meditation, gentle yoga or other relaxation techniques afterward to calm your revved-up body, Leota said.

Even better, “if you can exercise earlier in the day, that would be preferable,” he said.

But if the evening is your best option, stick with it. “We are definitely not discouraging exercise,” Leota said. “For the vast majority of people, any exercise is better than no exercise. We would just recommend trying to finish as early as possible or opting for lighter workouts.”

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