A Comparison of the Effects of Three Types of Combined Training on Testosterone and Cortisol Concentration and Muscular Strength in Elderly Women

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of three types of combined training on testosterone and cortisol concentration, testosterone/cortisol ratio and muscular strength in elderly women. 40 elderly women (age range: 60.34±0.82 years) were randomly divided into four groups: endurance strength (E) (n=9), strength endurance training (S) (n=10), alternative concurrent training (ACT) (n=12) and control (n=9). The training program was performed for 8 weeks, 3 days per week. Endurance training protocol included performance on a cycle ergometer and strength training protocol involved several selected upper and lower body workouts. Paired samples t test and one-way ANOVA were used to analyze data. The results showed that 8 weeks of training did not change testosterone in S and ACT groups but a significant decrease was observed in testosterone in E group (P=0.007). In addition, results showed a significant difference in testosterone between E and ACT groups (P=0.01). In addition, no significant changes were observed in cortisol and testosterone/cortisol ratio after the training. Also, there was a significant increase in upper body strength only in E and ACT groups and in lower body strength in all groups. As there were no significant changes to basal hormones in 3 combined training groups, these subjects experienced no chronic catabolic state. Since strength increased in all groups, it seems that there was no relationship between hormonal status and the strength gains in the present study.