Testosterone, Dehydroepiandrosterone, and Physical Performance in Older Men: Results from the Massachusetts Male Aging Study

• Published in: The journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism Vol. 91; no. 2; pp. 425 - 431
• Main Authors: O’Donnell, Amy B., Travison, Thomas G., Harris, Susan S., Tenover, J. Lisa, McKinlay, John B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bethesda, MD Endocrine Society 01-02-2006; Copyright by The Endocrine Society
• Subjects: Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Cohort Studies; Dehydroepiandrosterone - blood; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate - blood; Endocrinopathies; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Geriatric Assessment; Hand Strength - physiology; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Physical Fitness - physiology; Statistics, Nonparametric; Testosterone - blood; Vertebrates: endocrinology; United States; North America; Massachusetts; America; Human; Testosterone; Dehydroepiandrosterone; Androgen; Physical performance; Ageing; Adult; Male; Testicular hormone; Sex steroid hormone; Age; Endocrinology
• ISSN: 0021-972X; 1945-7197
• DOI: 10.1210/jc.2005-1227

Objective: This manuscript examines the relationships of total testosterone (T), bioavailable T, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and DHEA sulfate (DHEAS) to measures of physical performance in a large, population-based, random sample of men.
Methods: In the most recent wave of the Massachusetts Male Aging Study, measures of strength and physical performance [seven-item physical performance test (PPT), timed chair stand test, and grip strength] were made in 684 men, aged 55–85 yr. Complete hormone data were also obtained. Initial graphical exploration of performance outcomes as a function of hormone levels showed linear increases in physical performance up to certain threshold hormone concentrations, beyond which the associations were diminished. Regression models were used to estimate threshold locations and standardized regression coefficients quantifying the association between hormones and strength.
Results: All hormones exhibited significant age-adjusted positive association with PPT score below, but not necessarily above, the thresholds. DHEA was positively associated with chair stand score below, but was not above the threshold. None of the hormones studied was significantly associated with grip strength.
Conclusion: Up to certain critical concentrations, elevated levels of TT, total T, bioavailable T, DHEA, and DHEA sulfate are associated with increased physical performance, as indicated by the PPT. However, levels beyond those critical concentrations, as might be achieved through exogenous supplementation, do not appear to confer any additional benefit. In general, hormone concentrations do not appear to be meaningfully associated with grip strength or chair stand scores.