Testosterone Levels and Leg Workouts
Engaging in leg workouts can indeed stimulate an increase in testosterone levels. This is because leg exercises often involve large muscle groups and high-intensity movements known to trigger testosterone production. However, the increase is usually temporary and varies from person to person.
What Is Testosterone?
Testosterone is a hormone. This hormone is naturally present in all people’s bodies, regardless of sex [1].
However, sometimes it is also referred to as the “male reproductive hormone” or “male sex hormone”. That is because testosterone plays a salient role in the development of male external genitalia and secondary sexual characteristics, including the growth of facial hair or deepening of voice [2]. Testosterone is also present in females, although in much smaller quantities [3].
Testosterone is produced primarily in the testicles (for men) and ovaries and adrenal glands (for women) [4].
Testosterone is a steroid hormone whose primary function is to develop normal male sexual characteristics [5]. It also helps maintain homeostasis among multiple organ systems throughout life[5].
Testosterone affects the body differently in both males and females. In males, testosterone is responsible for secondary traits like body hair, muscle mass, voice deepening, sperm production, sex drive, and red blood cell production. As men age, their natural production of testosterone decreases, and this natural decline starts around the age of 30 [2, 3].
In females, testosterone is converted into a female sex hormone estradiol. This is then involved in hormone production, bone, breast, vaginal and menstrual health, fertility, and sexual desire [3].
What Can Influence The Levels Of Testosterone?
The levels of testosterone can be influenced by a variety of factors.
One example is diet. In particular, high-sugar diets have been linked to lower testosterone levels in men. In fact, a study found that men who consumed high amounts of sugary drinks were more likely to have low testosterone levels [6].
The consumption of alcohol also influences the levels of testosterone. Consumption of a large volume of alcohol or chronic alcohol use is associated with a reduction in testosterone levels in serum (the clear liquid part of your blood when the cells and clotting proteins are removed) [7]. However, an acute consumption of a low to moderate amount of alcohol can increase testosterone concentration in the serum of men.
Further, exercise, particularly resistance exercise, such as lifting weights, can temporarily increase testosterone levels [8].
Sexual activity also affects the levels of testosterone. Interestingly, sexual stimulation and activity cause testosterone levels to increase. Throughout a long period of sexual inactivity, the testosterone levels can drop [9].
Additionally, conditions influencing our health chronically or stress can reduce testosterone production. In particular, AIDS, kidney disease, and cirrhosis of the liver can negatively impact testosterone levels [10].
We also looked into whether melatonin can influence the levels of testosterone and whether Aderall, a drug used for ADHD affects testosterone levels.
In addition, you may check our other blogs and learn whether taking ozempic or sermorelin influences the testosterone in our body.
Does A Leg Workout Increase Testosterone?
Yes, leg workouts can influence testosterone levels.
As testosterone plays a crucial role in muscle growth, strength, and overall health, various types of exercises, including leg workouts, can influence its levels.
A study involving 61 healthy young men found that testosterone administration was associated with a dose-dependent increase in leg press strength and leg power [11]. This suggests that testosterone enhances muscle performance, which can be stimulated by leg workouts.
Further, resistance training, which often includes leg exercises, has been shown to increase testosterone levels in the short and long term [12].
That said, the increase in testosterone levels after exercise, such as a leg workout, is often temporary. A meta-analysis of physical activity has shown that exercise acutely increased testosterone levels. However, the main determinant of the testosterone levels was the exercise intensity [13].
While leg workouts can increase testosterone levels, the effect is usually temporary and depends on the intensity of the exercise.