Effects of calisthenics and bodyweight high-intensity interval training on testosterone and cortisol levels in overweight men

Endocrine function and metabolic health can be impacted by obesity and overweight. The current study examined how bodyweight high-intensity interval training and calisthenics affected overweight men's cortisol and testosterone serum levels.

Thirty-two overweight men (age: 19.5 ± 5.4 year; height: 175.4 ± 4.2 cm; weight: 90.9 ± 7.6 kg) divided into three groups: Calisthenics training (n=12), bodyweight high-intensity interval training (HIIT) (n=12), and control (n=8). The HIIT and calisthenics groups trained three times a week for eight weeks. Ten mL blood samples were collected from the antecubital vein 24 h before and after the training. Testosterone and cortisol serum levels were measured by ELISA technique. ANOVA and Bonferroni were used for data analysis.

The results showed that the serum levels of testosterone in HIIT and calisthenics groups increased significantly, and cortisol decreased compared to the control group (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the serum levels of testosterone and cortisol in HIIT and calisthenics groups.

Calisthenics and bodyweight HIIT can increase testosterone and decrease cortisol in overweight males.