The Effect of 8 Weeks of Resistance Training with Tribulus Supplementation on Plasma Levels of Testosterone and IGF-1 in Elderly Men

One of the consequences of aging is reduced testosterone and IGF-1, which can lead to muscular atrophy and motor weakness in the elderly. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 8 weeks of resistance training with tribulus supplementation on plasma levels of testosterone and IGF-1 in elderly men. 44 elderly men (mean age: 64±2.80 yrs) were selected and randomly divided into 4 groups (each group 11 subjects): resistance training + supplementation (ES), resistance training + placebo (EP), resistance training and control. The training groups performed resistance training protocol for 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week. ES group used 1250 mg of tribulus supplementation per day. ELIZA method was used to measure biochemical parameters and ANCOVA was used for data analysis.The results showed a significant difference between the ES group and the other groups in the testosterone and glucose variables (P<0.001). In other groups, there was no significant difference in these variables. There was no significant difference in IGF-1 and BMI among the groups. Finally, the findings of this study showed that tribulus supplementation along with resistance training could increase the testosterone level in the elderly men and reduce blood glucose level.