Testosterone is an anabolic or tissue-building steroid hormone produced by the testes and ovaries. Men have a greater concentration of testosterone than women. According to a 2008 study by Blair Crewther and colleagues, published by the National Strength and Conditioning Association, weight-training workouts utilizing 10 sets of 10 repetitions at 75 percent of the participant’s one repetition max elicited a greater testosterone response than lifting heavier weights for fewer sets and reps.
Produces Male Characteristics
Testosterone promotes the development and maintenance of a man's sexual characteristics, sexual organs and male sexual behavior. Such developments include the growth of pubic hair, more facial hair compared to women, development of the penis and scrotum, increased muscle mass in males and a deepening of his voice.
Increases Muscle Mass
Testosterone puts proteins together or stimulates protein synthesis in both sexes. Men have more testosterone than women so they have larger muscles. According to the National Strength and Conditioning Association, women have about a 15 to 20-fold lower concentration of testosterone than men. Testosterone enhances the growth of skeletal muscle by influencing how much growth hormone you produce and affecting the nucleus of the muscle cell. Testosterone acts on your pituitary gland, promoting a greater release of growth hormone. This predominantly male hormone interacts with the DNA of the muscle cell nucleus, increasing protein synthesis.
Enhances Nerve-Muscle Connection
Testosterone increases the amount of neurotransmitters or chemical messengers released in skeletal muscle and the size of the junctions where a nerve and muscle cell meet. According to a 2006 study by Marco Cardinale and Michael Stone, published by the National Strength and Conditioning Association, the researchers suggest testosterone increases the number of receptors at the nerve muscle junction and enhances the rate of force development and muscle contraction. The more muscle mass a man has compared to a woman, the greater his ability to produce force and energy, making him much faster and slightly stronger than a woman.
Preserves Bone
Testosterone enhances the closure of the growth plates of bones of boys and girls. If a child matures early, this will cause the growth plates to close early, making him short. If he matures late he will more than likely be tall because his growth plates will close late. In men, some of the testosterone is converted to estrogen, which helps maintain his bone structure throughout his life. Men are less prone to osteoporosis than women.
References
- “Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research”; The Salivary Testosterone and Cortisol Response; Blair Crewther et al; Jan. 2008
- “Exercise Physiology, Energy, Nutrition & Human Performance”; William McArdle, Frank Katch and Victor Katch; 2007
- “Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning”; Thomas R. Baechle and Roger W. Earle; 2000
- “Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research”; Is Testosterone Influencing Explosive Performance?; Marco Cardinale et al; Feb. 2006
