SynthesisPeerJ2026
Effect of acute exercise on the dynamics of testosterone levels: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
Synthesis in PeerJ, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Male fertility as an integral reflection of metabolic, endocrine, and musculoskeletal health.Rheumatology international · 2026Review
- Endocrine markers of energy deficiency and within-day energy balance metrics in elite athletes.Frontiers in sports and active living · 2026Article
- The effects of acute coordinative vs. endurance exercise on the testosterone concentration.Frontiers in physiology · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Purpose: Although acute exercise has been demonstrated to modulate endogenous testosterone levels, existing studies have reached conflicting conclusions regarding the pattern of response of testosterone levels after exercise. The objective of this study was to examine the dynamic effects of acute exercise on testosterone levels and to analyze the differences in the role of factors such as exercise mode, intensity, sample source, and gender. Methods: A comprehensive search of articles published up to March 2025 was conducted in five database systems, including PubMed and Web of Science, in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. A total of 15 randomized controlled trials assessing the effect of acute exercise on testosterone levels were included, with a total sample size of 251 participants. Results: (1) Testosterone levels demonstrate a greater increase following resistance training, with a delayed return to baseline levels; in contrast, testosterone levels typically recover within 1 h after aerobic exercise. (2) Moderate to high-intensity exercise stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPG), leading to a transient rise in testosterone, but extended high-intensity exercise causes testosterone suppression during recovery due to cortisol antagonism for up to 72 h. The testosterone concentration during the active phase exceeds that during the recovery period. (3) A significant disparity in baseline testosterone levels exists between males and females, with males exhibiting higher levels. Additionally, males demonstrate a more pronounced response to exercise compared to females. (4) Blood tests exhibit greater sensitivity than saliva tests, although the latter is more reactive to high-intensity exercise; (5) The response is more pronounced in younger males compared to older adults, with negligible response observed in adolescents. Conclusion: Variations in testosterone level modulation due to acute exercise are predominantly influenced by exercise mode, intensity, sample source, and subject characteristics (gender and age). While resistance training and high-intensity exercise might temporarily increase testosterone levels, it is essential to consider the potential for hormonal imbalance after recovery; age and sex variations, along with assay standardization, are critical areas for further investigation. This review was registered PROSPERO with registration number CRD420251007222.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.