TESTOSTERONE

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ATHLETICISM

Falling behind the competition? Thinking about getting ahead? Don't think you'll get caught? Think again!

Let's clear up some myths about the relationship between testosterone and athletic performance.

Jessica O'Neill                ANTH 13181-01               Dr. Ocobock

They Are Not The Same!

Should Caster Semenya have been banned because of her T levels?

NO! Because the natural range of T in women is just that - a RANGE!

The natural range of T levels for men and women:

Takeaways:

• There is a wide range of natural T levels for women

• There is overlap between natural T levels for men and women

Supposed "abnormally" high T levels are often naturally occurring and do not necessarily give women an advantage

"High T levels in females gives them an unfair advantage"

In reality, what some may consider "high" T levels in women is actually quite normal

- South African runner, 2 time Olympian

- Body produces more T than the average woman

- IAAF banned her from competition on the basis of unfair advantage due to T levels

Caster Semenya

The correlation between T and athleticism is widely debated and still very unknown

"Testosterone is the molecular backbone of athleticism"

Let's talk IAAF, the organization that banned Caster Semenya...

Some studies show a clear correlation between T and athleticism...

...but others show a weak correlation...

...no correlation...

...and some even show a negative correlation!

If scientists can't establish a consistent relationship between T and athleticism, why should we?

Athleticism is actually determined by a variety of both genetic and environmental factors - T is not the sole determinant 

Despite their ruling against Caster Semenya, one of their own studies showed that in 3 out of 11 running events, athletes with the lowest T performed better!

This just goes to show that T does not always correlate with athletic performance.

T has really only been shown to make a difference at super high doses for power sports

"If I take T, I'll become better at my sport"

In a study done by Shalender Bhasin, men were given huge doses of T...

6x

3x

the amount typically given to men for hypogonadism, and...

more than had been studied in previous research!

At these super high doses, progress was seen by the men who exercised

T will only make a difference in power sports and at a super, super high dosage... but what are the effects of such a high dosage?

Testosterone has been shown to have a strong impact on muscle fiber type and the ability to build muscle...

...making it good for power sports like lifting and sprinting...

...but not so good for endurance sports like marathons or middle distance running

Your body regulates your T levels by producing more or less proteins to always have the right amount of free T, which is why any dose less than supra physiological won't make a difference

Taking T at large doses can actually have long lasting medical implications

"Testosterone is a naturally occurring substance, so it won't hurt me"

One of the most noticeable side effects of too much testosterone is gynecomastia:

This happens when excess testosterone in the body is converted into estrogen by the enzyme aromatase, resulting in larger breast tissue in males:

Other side effects of taking T:

injuries

acne

inhibit good cholesterol

increased risk of heart disease

increased risk of blood clotting

Just because T is naturally occurring, doesn't mean it can't hurt you

Nobody is perfect, so don't try to be!

Don't believe everything you read! Think twice before taking T!

Sources:

https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/4-myths-about-testosterone/

https://sakailogin.nd.edu/access/content/group/SP21-ANTH-13181-01/Feb.%2015/Jordan-Young%20_%20Karkazis%20Chapter.pdf

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/we-celebrated-michael-phelpss-genetic-differences-why-punish-caster-semenya-for-hers/2019/05/02/93d08c8c-6c2b-11e9-be3a-33217240a539_story.html

https://www.strongerbyscience.com/the-science-of-steroids/

https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/do-women-have-testosterone#treatment

https://www.pnas.org/content/106/36/15268/tab-figures-data

https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a27332526/caster-semenya-court-ruling/

https://sphweb.bumc.bu.edu/otlt/mph-modules/bs/bs704_correlation-regression/bs704_correlation-regression2.html

https://www.michiganurology.com/mens-health/low-testosterone/