Table 5.
Relative changes in hormonal and performance variables from pre- to post-test in participants with highest increase vs. highest decrease in free testosterone:cortisol ratio. Results from independent sample t-test.
| Relative change (%) | Highest increase (n = 5) | Highest decrease (n = 5) | P-value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total testosterone | 18.7 ± 20.6 | −4.1 ± 8.9 | 0.053 |
| Free testosterone | 24.7 ± 26.0 | −7.8 ± 9.0 | 0.030 |
| Cortisol | −6.9 ± 17.7 | 32.3 ± 15.5 | 0.006 |
| SHBG | −4.1 ± 6.1 | 4.2 ± 7.4 | 0.088 |
| T3 | −10.0 ± 3.5 | −11.0 ± 7.4 | 0.803 |
| Insulin | −8.1 ± 17.6 | −1.3 ± 30.0 | 0.675 |
| IGF-1 | −7.2 ± 3.0 | −3.9 ± 6.8 | 0.352 |
| PPO | 6.3 ± 4.1 | 4.2 ± 3.2 | 0.388 |
| VO2peak | 3.8 ± 3.8 | 2.4 ± 3.8 | 0.557 |
| FTP | 9.5 ± 5.4 | 2.5 ± 3.1 | 0.037 |
| Training volume (h/week) | −5.1 ± 31.5 | 2.7 ± 18.9 | 0.650 |
| Energy intake | 6.6 ± 22.6 | 10.2 ± 38.2 | 0.860 |
| Relative RMR | 0.6 ± 2.8 | −4.2 ± 3.3 | 0.039 |
| Body weight | −0.4 ± 0.7 | −0.5 ± 1.2 | 0.901 |
| FFM | −0.7 ± 1.1 | 0.3 ± 0.6 | 0.126 |
Data are presented as mean ± SD. FFM, fat free mass; FTP, functional threshold power; IGF-1, insulin like growth factor-1; PPO, peak power output; relative RMR (kcal/kg FFM/day), resting metabolic rate; SHBG, sex hormone-binding globulin; T3, triiodothyronine; VO2peak, peak oxygen uptake.