Endurance running and testosterone

gregsop

Hi,

Over the past 3 months i managed to bring down my weight from 79 to 70 kgs.
I used to go to the gym early morning - run for like 4 kms continuously and then train using weights for muscle growth

I read somewhere that endurance running lowers down testosterone dramatically

1. Now does running 4 kms (2 miles approx.) at the same speed (11 kms / hr) lower testosterone?

2. Also does stop and go running lowers testosterone level too?

If both the above running methods reduce testosterone, then what is the best way to keep testosterone intact while reducing body fat percentage?

Thanks for the help

Testosterscone

gregsop wrote: »

Hi,

Over the past 3 months i managed to bring down my weight from 79 to 70 kgs.
I used to go to the gym early morning - run for like 4 kms continuously and then train using weights for muscle growth

I read somewhere that endurance running lowers down testosterone dramatically

1. Now does running 4 kms (2 miles approx.) at the same speed (11 kms / hr) lower testosterone?

2. Also does stop and go running lowers testosterone level too?

If both the above running methods reduce testosterone, then what is the best way to keep testosterone intact while reducing body fat percentage?

Thanks for the help

Don't worry

1) A 4k run is not a low intensity endurance run (for the purpose of aerobic conditioning)
2) Your mileage would have to be significant to affect your T levels in any meaningful way and the weight training probably negates any decreases in levels that may incur (I am talking 40-60 min running 4+ times a week)

jameshayes

4km a day wouldn't be classed as endurance running - more like a short sprint. I think you'll be ok - also, I read that running has a very little impact on T levels

Working class heroes

gregsop wrote: »

Hi,

Over the past 3 months i managed to bring down my weight from 79 to 70 kgs.
I used to go to the gym early morning - run for like 4 kms continuously and then train using weights for muscle growth

I read somewhere that endurance running lowers down testosterone dramatically

1. Now does running 4 kms (2 miles approx.) at the same speed (11 kms / hr) lower testosterone?

2. Also does stop and go running lowers testosterone level too?

If both the above running methods reduce testosterone, then what is the best way to keep testosterone intact while reducing body fat percentage?

Thanks for the help

Are you male or female?

walshb

jameshayes wrote: »

4km a day wouldn't be classed as endurance running - more like a short sprint. I think you'll be ok - also, I read that running has a very little impact on T levels

Short sprint my ar&e!

jameshayes

walshb wrote: »

Short sprint my ar&e!

If you were to compare a 4k to a 42k, what bracket would you put it in?

Balls out 5k running is based on V02 max ability, 21k is based on lactate thresholds and anything above is based on long term endurance

walshb

jameshayes wrote: »

If you were to compare a 4k to a 42k, what bracket would you put it in?

42 k is a long distance endurance run.

4 k has next to nothing to do with the word or term, sprint.

Working class heroes

jameshayes wrote: »

If you were to compare a 4k to a 42k, what bracket would you put it in?

4k is not a sprint no mater what you compare it too.

ThisRegard

4k is just an easy warm up, you track fairies.

average_runner

jameshayes wrote: »

If you were to compare a 4k to a 42k, what bracket would you put it in?

Balls out 5k running is based on V02 max ability, 21k is based on lactate thresholds and anything above is based on long term endurance

So you can sprint for 4k? Fair play to you.

Rockyman7

lots of testosterone buildin up here

El Caballo

jameshayes wrote: »

If you were to compare a 4k to a 42k, what bracket would you put it in?

Balls out 5k running is based on V02 max ability, 21k is based on lactate thresholds and anything above is based on long term endurance

Not having a go, honestly just in case you think I am. If you are talking about racing, a race that lasts somewhere between 8-12 minutes would be a true test of Vo2max so you are looking at just below 5k for the very best athletes on the planet and maybe 1.5km for another more recreational runner.

The same is true with a half marathon, an elite running a half in 60 minutes is running at lactate threshold but a recreational runner finishing in a bit over 2 hours is doing a half 100% aerobically (Aerobic Threshold is around 2 hour race pace).

Don't let any of these terms lure you in though, any race from about 90 seconds on (800m for example) requires a hell of a lot of aerobic endurance. There's a lot of 800/1500m guys and gals out there doing more mileage than a lot of marathon runners because they need to as endurance is of huge importance across the board. The speed workouts might be different (then you can start thinking about your Vo2max, Lactate Thresholds etc. etc......etc but the foundation of their race performance is built on aerobic endurance because it is the dominant system when racing for roughly 90 seconds plus to however long you got hence why you rarely see guys who are excellent at both the 400 and 800 but it's not quite as rare to see people who are very good from 1500m to 10k and some guys who can even extend that range further.

This isn't relevant to the OP but I thought I'd share.

Chivito550

jameshayes wrote: »

4km a day wouldn't be classed as endurance running - more like a short sprint. I think you'll be ok - also, I read that running has a very little impact on T levels

60m and 100m are short sprints. Maybe even 200m at a stretch. 400m is a long sprint. 800/1500 are middle distance. 3000 too at a push.

4km is approaching "long distance".

walshb

Chivito550 wrote: »

60m and 100m are short sprints. Maybe even 200m at a stretch. 400m is a long sprint. 800/1500 are middle distance. 3000 too at a push.

4km is approaching "long distance".

60 and 100 are explosive sprints. 200 is a long sprint. 400 is not a sprint in the strictest sense. Endurance sprint I would best describe it.

Chivito550

walshb wrote: »

60 and 100 are explosive sprints. 200 is a long sprint. 400 is not a sprint in the strictest sense. Endurance sprint I would best describe it.

I suppose in the strictest sense of the word only the 60 and 100 are sprints as even in the 200 you must float for a period on the bend, otherwise you'll die in the closing 50.

I'd always consider the 400 a sprint though. Starting blocks, using lanes, more anaerobic than aerobic, the fact 400 runners can excel at 200, but rarely at 800 etc.

Came across this from letsrun:

200m run: 29% aerobic; 71% anaerobic
400m run: 43% aerobic; 57% anaerobic
800m run: 66% aerobic: 34% anaerobic
1500m run: 84% aerobic; 16% anaerobic

http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=927991#ixzz4jK5nQV00

walshb

If you dig deeper you could argue that only the 60 is a full out sprint. Even the 100 has an element of phasing and thought to it. Kind of pacing it..

glacial_pace71

Rockyman7 wrote: »

lots of testosterone buildin up here

Ah 'Point Break', the original version with Kneau Reeves looking more bewildered than his 'Matrix' expression, Patrick Swayze trying too hard to de-Ghost his career, Lori Petty (in her pre-Orange is the New Black days) doing more than the 'scriptwriter-is-stuck-with-trophy-girlfriend-lines' and Kathryn Bigelow as days,

http://www.getyarn.io/yarn-clip/48c5504a-bbe5-4460-bf01-87cc5a5be22d/gif

On the matter of the OP question re endurance running and testosterone, yes the levels affect red blood cell count but no, on those figures we're not near the territory of endurance stresses.

Btw many women get justifiably annoyed when there are 'phantom pregnancy' type attention-seeking among male athletes but, apparently, there'd appear to be a case for exploring bone loss in over-trained young males much in the way the athlete triad problems have been established as a cause of concern in young female athletes:

http://www.runnersworld.com/nutrition/young-runners-at-risk-for-bone-loss