The effects of supraphysiologic doses of testosterone on muscle size and strength in normal men
Open accessAbstract
BACKGROUND: Athletes often take androgenic steroids in an attempt to increase their strength. The efficacy of these substances for this purpose is unsubstantiated, however. METHODS: We randomly assigned 43 normal men to one of four groups: placebo with no exercise; testosterone with no exercise; placebo plus exercise; and testosterone plus exercise. The men received injections of 600 mg of testosterone enanthate or placebo weekly for 10 weeks. The men in the exercise groups performed standardized weight-lifting exercises three times weekly. Before and after the treatment period, fat-free mass was determined by underwater weighing, muscle size was measured by magnetic resonance imaging, and the strength of the arms and legs was assessed by bench-press and squatting exercises, respectively. RESULTS: Among the men in the no-exercise groups, those given testosterone had greater increases than those given placebo in muscle size in their arms (mean [+/-SE] change in triceps area, 424 +/- 104 vs. -81 +/- 109 square millimeters; P < 0.05) and legs (change in quadriceps area, 607 +/- 123 vs. -131 +/- 111 square millimeters; P < 0.05) and greater increases in strength in the bench-press (9 +/- 4 vs. -1 +/- 1 kg, P < 0.05) and squatting exercises (16 +/- 4 vs. 3 +/- 1 kg, P < 0.05). The men assigned to testosterone and exercise had greater increases in fat-free mass (6.1 +/- 0.6 kg) and muscle size (triceps area, 501 +/- 104 square millimeters; quadriceps area, 1174 +/- 91 square millimeters) than those assigned to either no-exercise group, and greater increases in muscle strength (bench-press strength, 22 +/- 2 kg; squatting-exercise capacity, 38 +/- 4 kg) than either no-exercise group. Neither mood nor behavior was altered in any group. CONCLUSIONS: Supraphysiologic doses of testosterone, especially when combined with strength training, increase fat-free mass and muscle size and strength in normal men.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Testosterone and related anabolic androgenic steroids increase muscle mass in both animals and humans.
“Testosterone [44] and related anabolic androgenic steroids [45] increase muscle mass in both animals and humans.”
From Effects of Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy on Fat Mass and Glucose Homeostasis in Humans and Animals: A Narrative Review with Systematic Literature Search (2025) · cites this paper as [44]
The effects of these drugs and resistance training are additive.
“Moreover, given that the effects of these drugs and resistance training are additive [44], we suggest trials”
From Effects of Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy on Fat Mass and Glucose Homeostasis in Humans and Animals: A Narrative Review with Systematic Literature Search (2025) · cites this paper as [44]
Randomised trials have shown that supraphysiological doses of testosterone in men increase fat-free mass, muscle size, and strength.
“Results of randomised trials have also shown that supraphysiological doses of testosterone in men result in increased fat-free mass, muscle size, and strength.80”
From Age-related and disease-related muscle loss: The effect of diabetes, obesity, and other diseases (2014) · cites this paper as [80]
Cites
Biological Actions of Androgens
MOORADIAN, A. D., MORLEY, J. E., & KORENMAN, S. G. (1987) · Endocrine Reviews · doi:10.1210/edrv-8-1-1 · Cited by 1,080 · see citing works
Estimated Prevalence of Anabolic Steroid Use Among Male High School Seniors
Buckley, W. E. (1988) · JAMA · doi:10.1001/jama.1988.03410230059028 · Cited by 530 · see citing works
Effect of testosterone on muscle mass and muscle protein synthesis
Griggs, R. C., Kingston, W., Jozefowicz, R. F., Herr, B. E., Forbes, G., & Halliday, D. (1989) · Journal of Applied Physiology · doi:10.1152/jappl.1989.66.1.498 · Cited by 517 · see citing works
Anabolic steroids: A review of the literature
Haupt, H. A., & Rovere, G. D. (1984) · The American Journal of Sports Medicine · doi:10.1177/036354658401200613 · Cited by 444 · see citing works
Wilson, J. D. (1988) · Endocrine Reviews · doi:10.1210/edrv-9-2-181 · Cited by 427 · see citing works
The Multidimensional Anger Inventory.
Siegel, J. M. (1986) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.51.1.191 · Cited by 397 · see citing works
Anabolic Steroids: Doctors Denounce Them, but Athletes Aren't Listening
Wade, N. (1972) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.176.4042.1399 · Cited by 150 · see citing works
The effect of anabolic steroids on lean body mass: The dose response curve
Forbes, G. B. (1985) · Metabolism · doi:10.1016/0026-0495(85)90196-9 · Cited by 146 · see citing works
Effects of Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids on Muscular Strength
ELASHOFF, J. D., Jacknow, A. D., Shain, S., et al. (1991) · Annals of Internal Medicine · doi:10.7326/0003-4819-115-5-387 · Cited by 144 · see citing works
Anabolic steroids in athelics: crossover double-blind trial on weightlifters.
Freed, D. L. J., Banks, A. J., Longson, D., & Burley, D. M. (1975) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.2.5969.471 · Cited by 128 · see citing works
Kenyon, A. T., Knowlton, K., Sandiford, I., Koch, F. C., & Lotwin, G. (1940) · Endocrinology · doi:10.1210/endo-26-1-26 · Cited by 125 · see citing works
Bhasin, S., Swerdloff, R. S., Steiner, B., Peterson, M., Meridores, T., Galmirini, M., Pandian, M. R., Goldberg, R. B., & Berman, N. (1992) · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · doi:10.1210/jcem.74.1.1727832 · Cited by 123 · see citing works
Self-citationFahey, T. D., & Brown, C. (1973) · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · doi:10.1249/00005768-197300540-00012 · Cited by 112 · see citing works
Effects of Methandienone on the Performance and Body Composition of Men Undergoing Athletic Training
Hervey, G. R., Knibbs, A. V., Burkinshaw, L., et al. (1981) · Clinical Science · doi:10.1042/cs0600457 · Cited by 104 · see citing works
Estimated prevalence of anabolic steroid use among male high school seniors
Buckley, W. E. (1988) · JAMA · doi:10.1001/jama.260.23.3441 · Cited by 100 · see citing works
Effects of androgenic-anabolic steroids on neuromuscular power and body composition
Crist, D. M., Stackpole, P. J., & Peake, G. T. (1983) · Journal of Applied Physiology · doi:10.1152/jappl.1983.54.2.366 · Cited by 94 · see citing works
Anabolic Steroids in the Athlete
Strauss, R. H., & Yesalis, C. E. (1991) · Annual Review of Medicine · doi:10.1146/annurev.me.42.020191.002313 · Cited by 92 · see citing works
Anabolic Steroid: Effects on Strength Development
Johnson, L. C., & OʼShea, J. P. (1969) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.164.3882.957 · Cited by 78 · see citing works
COMPARISON OF PROTEIN ANABOLIC PROPERTY OF VARIOUS ANDROGENS IN THE CASTRATED RAT
Kochakian, C. D. (1949) · American Journal of Physiology-Legacy Content · doi:10.1152/ajplegacy.1949.160.1.53 · Cited by 76 · see citing works
Johnson, L. C., Fisher, G., Silvester, L. J., et al. (1972) · PubMed · Cited by 63 · see citing works
The effect of an anabolic steroid on strength and lean body mass
Ward, P. J. (1973) · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · doi:10.1249/00005768-197300540-00013 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
Kwong, D. L., & Kim, D. M. (1983) · Journal of Applied Physics · doi:10.1063/1.331711 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
Stromme, S. B., Meen, H. D., & Aakvaag, A. (1974) · PubMed · Cited by 56 · see citing works
Influence of Methyl Testosterone on Muscular Work and Creatine Metabolism in Normal Young Men1
Samuels, L. T., Henschel, A. F., & Keys, A. B. (1942) · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · doi:10.1210/jcem-2-11-649 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Tom, L. (1992) · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · doi:10.1210/jc.75.2.476 · Cited by 51 · see citing works
Is high dosage testosterone an effective male contraceptive agent?
Matsumoto, A. M. (1988) · Fertility and Sterility · doi:10.1016/s0015-0282(16)60081-x · Cited by 50 · see citing works
Human strength and endurance responses to anabolic steroid and training.
Loughton, S. J., & Ruhling, R. O. (1977) · PubMed · Cited by 47 · see citing works
Anabolic steroid effects on body composition in normal young men.
Sw, C., Early, R. G., & Carlson, B. R. (1971) · PubMed · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Changing Patterns in Ski Injuries
Tapper, E. M., & Moritz, J. R. (1974) · The Physician and Sportsmedicine · doi:10.1080/00913847.1974.11948114 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
Steroids in Sports: After Four Decades, Time to Return These Genies to Bottle?
Cowart, V. S. (1987) · JAMA · doi:10.1001/jama.1987.03390040031003 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
Anabolic steroid: effectiveness as an ergogenic aid to experienced weight trainers.
Stamford, B. A., & Moffatt, R. (1974) · PubMed · Cited by 35 · see citing works
The effect of anabolic steroids on physical fitness.
Win-May, M., & Mya-Tu, M. (1975) · PubMed · Cited by 24 · see citing works
The effect of anabolic steroid upon skeletal muscle contractile force.
Ariel, G. B. (1973) · PubMed · Cited by 19 · see citing works
THE USE OF ANABOLIC STEROIDS BY ATHLETES TO INCREASE BODY WEIGHT AND STRENGTH
Tahmindjis, A. J. (1976) · The Medical Journal of Australia · doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.1976.tb128921.x · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Steroids in sports: after four decades, time to return these genies to bottle?
Cowart, V. (1987) · JAMA · doi:10.1001/jama.257.4.421 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Sex Steroids and the Construction and Conservation of the Adult Skeleton
Riggs, B. L., Khosla, S., & Melton, L. J. (2002) · Endocrine Reviews · doi:10.1210/edrv.23.3.0465 · Cited by 1,846 · see citing works
Adverse Events Associated with Testosterone Administration
Basaria, S., Coviello, A. D., Travison, T. G., Storer, T. W., Farwell, W. R., Jette, A. M., Eder, R., Tennstedt, S., Ulloor, J., Zhang, A., et al. (2010) · New England Journal of Medicine · doi:10.1056/nejmoa1000485 · Cited by 1,494 · see citing works
Self-citationContradicted and Initially Stronger Effects in Highly Cited Clinical Research
Ioannidis, J. P. A. (2005) · JAMA · doi:10.1001/jama.294.2.218 · Cited by 1,465 · see citing works
Age-related and disease-related muscle loss: The effect of diabetes, obesity, and other diseases
Kalyani, R. R., Corriere, M., & Ferrucci, L. (2014) · The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology · doi:10.1016/s2213-8587(14)70034-8 · Cited by 1,102 · see citing works
Sarcopenia: its assessment, etiology, pathogenesis, consequences and future perspectives
Rolland, Y., Czerwinski, S., van Kan, G. A., Morley, J. E., Cesari, M., Onder, G., Woo, J., Baumgartner, R., Pillard, F., Boirie, Y., et al. (2008) · The Journal of nutrition, health and aging · doi:10.1007/bf02982704 · Cited by 1,071 · see citing works
Lamberts, S. W. J., van den Beld, A. W., & van der Lely, A.-J. (1997) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.278.5337.419 · Cited by 980 · see citing works
Testosterone dose-response relationships in healthy young men
Bhasin, S., Woodhouse, L., Casaburi, R., Singh, A. B., Bhasin, D., Berman, N., Chen, X., Yarasheski, K. E., Magliano, L., Dzekov, C., et al. (2001) · American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism · doi:10.1152/ajpendo.2001.281.6.e1172 · Cited by 967 · see citing works
Self-citationSkeletal muscle performance and ageing
Tieland, M., Trouwborst, I., & Clark, B. C. (2018) · Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle · doi:10.1002/jcsm.12238 · Cited by 904 · see citing works
Estrogens and androgens in skeletal physiology and pathophysiology
Almeida, M., Laurent, M. R., Dubois, V., Claessens, F., O'Brien, C. A., Bouillon, R., Vanderschueren, D., & Manolagas, S. C. (2017) · Physiological Reviews · doi:10.1152/physrev.00033.2015 · Cited by 860 · see citing works
Isidori, A. M., Giannetta, E., Greco, E. A., Gianfrilli, D., Bonifacio, V., Isidori, A., Lenzi, A., & Fabbri, A. (2005) · Clinical Endocrinology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2265.2005.02339.x · Cited by 695 · see citing works
Circulating Testosterone as the Hormonal Basis of Sex Differences in Athletic Performance
Handelsman, D. J., Hirschberg, A. L., & Bermon, S. (2018) · Endocrine Reviews · doi:10.1210/er.2018-00020 · Cited by 594 · see citing works
Gonzalez-Cadavid, N. F., Taylor, W. E., Yarasheski, K., Sinha-Hikim, I., Ma, K., Ezzat, S., Shen, R., Lalani, R., Asa, S., Mamita, M., et al. (1998) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.95.25.14938 · Cited by 571 · see citing works
Self-citationPope, H. G., Kouri, E. M., & Hudson, J. I. (2000) · Archives of General Psychiatry · doi:10.1001/archpsyc.57.2.133 · Cited by 556 · see citing works
Singh, R., Artaza, J. N., Taylor, W. E., Gonzalez-Cadavid, N. F., & Bhasin, S. (2003) · Endocrinology · doi:10.1210/en.2003-0741 · Cited by 555 · see citing works
Self-citationBhasin, S., Woodhouse, L., Casaburi, R., Singh, A. B., Mac, R. P., Lee, M., Yarasheski, K. E., Sinha-Hikim, I., Dzekov, C., Dzekov, J., et al. (2005) · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · doi:10.1210/jc.2004-1184 · Cited by 544 · see citing works
Self-citationHuman Body Composition: Advances in Models and Methods
B. Heymsfield, S., Wang, Z., Baumgartner, R. N., & Ross, R. (1997) · Annual Review of Nutrition · doi:10.1146/annurev.nutr.17.1.527 · Cited by 527 · see citing works
Ferrando, A. A., Sheffield-Moore, M., Yeckel, C. W., Gilkison, C., Jiang, J., Achacosa, A., Lieberman, S. A., Tipton, K., Wolfe, R. R., & Urban, R. J. (2002) · American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism · doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00362.2001 · Cited by 522 · see citing works
Sinha-Hikim, I., Artaza, J., Woodhouse, L., Gonzalez-Cadavid, N., Singh, A. B., Lee, M. I., Storer, T. W., Casaburi, R., Shen, R., & Bhasin, S. (2002) · American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism · doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00502.2001 · Cited by 464 · see citing works
Self-citationFranke, W. W., & Berendonk, B. (1997) · Clinical Chemistry · doi:10.1093/clinchem/43.7.1262 · Cited by 457 · see citing works
Endocrine Control of Body Composition in Infancy, Childhood, and Puberty
Veldhuis, J. D., Roemmich, J. N., Richmond, E. J., Rogol, A. D., Lovejoy, J. C., Sheffield-Moore, M., Mauras, N., & Bowers, C. Y. (2005) · Endocrine Reviews · doi:10.1210/er.2003-0038 · Cited by 452 · see citing works
Dalton, J. T., Barnette, K. G., Bohl, C. E., Hancock, M. L., Rodriguez, D., Dodson, S. T., Morton, R. A., & Steiner, M. S. (2011) · Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle · doi:10.1007/s13539-011-0034-6 · Cited by 403 · see citing works
The role of androgens and estrogens on healthy aging and longevity
Horstman, A. M., Dillon, E. L., Urban, R. J., & Sheffield-Moore, M. (2012) · The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences · doi:10.1093/gerona/gls068 · Cited by 396 · see citing works
Testosterone and Depression: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Zarrouf, F. A., Artz, S., Griffith, J., Sirbu, C., & Kommor, M. (2009) · Journal of Psychiatric Practice · doi:10.1097/01.pra.0000358315.88931.fc · Cited by 383 · see citing works
Sinha-Hikim, I., Roth, S. M., Lee, M. I., & Bhasin, S. (2003) · American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism · doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00370.2002 · Cited by 344 · see citing works
Self-citationSinha-Hikim, I., Cornford, M., Gaytan, H., Lee, M. L., & Bhasin, S. (2006) · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · doi:10.1210/jc.2006-0357 · Cited by 318 · see citing works
Self-citationWest, D. W. D., Burd, N. A., Tang, J. E., Moore, D. R., Staples, A. W., Holwerda, A. M., Baker, S. K., & Phillips, S. M. (2010) · Journal of Applied Physiology · doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.01147.2009 · Cited by 290 · see citing works
Testosterone supplementation therapy for older men: potential benefits and risks
Gruenewald, D. A., & Matsumoto, A. M. (2003) · Journal of the American Geriatrics Society · doi:10.1034/j.1601-5215.2002.51018.x · Cited by 279 · see citing works
Popular Ergogenic Drugs and Supplements in Young Athletes
Calfee, R., & Fadale, P. (2006) · Pediatrics · doi:10.1542/peds.2005-1429 · Cited by 280 · see citing works
Testosterone injection stimulates net protein synthesis but not tissue amino acid transport
Ferrando, A. A., Tipton, K. D., Doyle, D., Phillips, S. M., Cortiella, J., & Wolfe, R. R. (1998) · American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism · doi:10.1152/ajpendo.1998.275.5.e864 · Cited by 256 · see citing works
Testosterone Substitution Normalizes Elevated Serum Leptin Levels in Hypogonadal Men
Jockenhövel, F., Blum, W. F., Vogel, E., Englaro, P., Müller-Wieland, D., Reinwein, D., Rascher, W., & Krone, W. (1997) · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · doi:10.1210/jcem.82.8.4174 · Cited by 261 · see citing works
Zitzmann, M., & Nieschlag, E. (2001) · European Journal of Endocrinology · doi:10.1530/eje.0.1440183 · Cited by 248 · see citing works
Elbers, J. M. H., Asscheman, H., Seidell, J. C., & Gooren, L. J. G. (1999) · American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism · doi:10.1152/ajpendo.1999.276.2.e317 · Cited by 236 · see citing works
HUNTER, S. K., S. ANGADI, S., BHARGAVA, A., HARPER, J., HIRSCHBERG, A. L., D. LEVINE, B., L. MOREAU, K., J. NOKOFF, N., STACHENFELD, N. S., & BERMON, S. (2023) · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · doi:10.1249/mss.0000000000003300 · Cited by 241 · see citing works
Roberts, M. D., McCarthy, J. J., Hornberger, T. A., Phillips, S. M., Mackey, A. L., Nader, G. A., Boppart, M. D., Kavazis, A. N., Reidy, P. T., Ogasawara, R., et al. (2023) · Physiological Reviews · doi:10.1152/physrev.00039.2022 · Cited by 214 · see citing works
The insults of illicit drug use on male fertility
Fronczak, C. M., Kim, E. D., & Barqawi, A. B. (2012) · Journal of Andrology · doi:10.2164/jandrol.110.011874 · Cited by 217 · see citing works
Bhasin, S., Taylor, W. E., Singh, R., Artaza, J., Sinha-Hikim, I., Jasuja, R., Choi, H., & Gonzalez-Cadavid, N. F. (2003) · The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences · doi:10.1093/gerona/58.12.m1103 · Cited by 215 · see citing works
Self-citationBrook, M. S., Wilkinson, D. J., Mitchell, W. K., Lund, J. N., Phillips, B. E., Szewczyk, N. J., Greenhaff, P. L., Smith, K., & Atherton, P. J. (2016) · The Journal of Physiology · doi:10.1113/jp272857 · Cited by 204 · see citing works
Hormonal and Metabolic Changes of Aging and the Influence of Lifestyle Modifications
Pataky, M. W., Young, W. F., & Nair, K. S. (2021) · Mayo Clinic Proceedings · doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2020.07.033 · Cited by 207 · see citing works
Kadi, F. (2008) · British Journal of Pharmacology · doi:10.1038/bjp.2008.118 · Cited by 200 · see citing works
Dubois, V., Laurent, M., Boonen, S., Vanderschueren, D., & Claessens, F. (2012) · Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences · doi:10.1007/s00018-011-0883-3 · Cited by 197 · see citing works
Effects of anabolic steroids on the muscle cells of strength-trained athletes
KADI, F., ERIKSSON, A., HOLMNER, S., & THORNELL, L.-E. (1999) · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · doi:10.1097/00005768-199911000-00006 · Cited by 190 · see citing works
Smith, M. R., Goode, M., Zietman, A. L., McGovern, F. J., Lee, H., & Finkelstein, J. S. (2004) · Journal of Clinical Oncology · doi:10.1200/jco.2004.01.174 · Cited by 188 · see citing works
Muehlenbein, M. P., Hirschtick, J. L., Bonner, J. Z., & Swartz, A. M. (2010) · American Journal of Human Biology · doi:10.1002/ajhb.21045 · Cited by 178 · see citing works
Kvorning, T., Andersen, M., Brixen, K., & Madsen, K. (2006) · American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism · doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00143.2006 · Cited by 176 · see citing works
Dobs, A. S., Nguyen, T., Pace, C., & Roberts, C. P. (2002) · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · doi:10.1210/jcem.87.4.8362 · Cited by 168 · see citing works
Egner, I. M., Bruusgaard, J. C., Eftestøl, E., & Gundersen, K. (2013) · The Journal of Physiology · doi:10.1113/jphysiol.2013.264457 · Cited by 159 · see citing works
Modifying muscle mass – the endocrine perspective
Solomon, A. M., & Bouloux, P. M. G. (2006) · Journal of Endocrinology · doi:10.1677/joe.1.06837 · Cited by 156 · see citing works
Bhasin, S., Travison, T. G., Storer, T. W., Lakshman, K., Kaushik, M., Mazer, N. A., Ngyuen, A.-H., Davda, M. N., Jara, H., Aakil, A., et al. (2012) · JAMA · doi:10.1001/jama.2012.227 · Cited by 152 · see citing works
Self-citationKrasnoff, J. B., Basaria, S., Pencina, M. J., Jasuja, G. K., Vasan, R. S., Ulloor, J., Zhang, A., Coviello, A., Kelly-Hayes, M., D'Agostino, R. B., et al. (2010) · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · doi:10.1210/jc.2009-2680 · Cited by 152 · see citing works
Self-citationSaad, F., Aversa, A., M. Isidori, A., & J. Gooren, L. (2012) · Current Diabetes Reviews · doi:10.2174/157339912799424573 · Cited by 148 · see citing works
O’Connor, D. B., Archer, J., & Wu, F. C. W. (2004) · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · doi:10.1210/jc.2003-031354 · Cited by 149 · see citing works
Storer, T. W., Woodhouse, L., Magliano, L., Singh, A. B., Dzekov, C., Dzekov, J., & Bhasin, S. (2008) · Journal of the American Geriatrics Society · doi:10.1111/j.1532-5415.2008.01927.x · Cited by 145 · see citing works
Self-citationLIM, C., NUNES, E. A., CURRIER, B. S., MCLEOD, J. C., THOMAS, A. C. Q., & PHILLIPS, S. M. (2022) · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · doi:10.1249/mss.0000000000002929 · Cited by 142 · see citing works
Sex differences in athletic performance emerge coinciding with the onset of male puberty
Handelsman, D. J. (2017) · Clinical Endocrinology · doi:10.1111/cen.13350 · Cited by 142 · see citing works
Hildreth, K. L., Barry, D. W., Moreau, K. L., Vande Griend, J., Meacham, R. B., Nakamura, T., Wolfe, P., Kohrt, W. M., Ruscin, J. M., Kittelson, J., et al. (2013) · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · doi:10.1210/jc.2012-3695 · Cited by 140 · see citing works
Shin, M. J., Jeon, Y. K., & Kim, I. J. (2018) · The World Journal of Men's Health · doi:10.5534/wjmh.180001 · Cited by 134 · see citing works
Androgen regulation of satellite cell function
Chen, Y., Zajac, J. D., & MacLean, H. E. (2005) · Journal of Endocrinology · doi:10.1677/joe.1.05976 · Cited by 137 · see citing works
Oral Androstenedione Administration and Serum Testosterone Concentrations in Young Men
Leder, B. Z. (2000) · JAMA · doi:10.1001/jama.283.6.779 · Cited by 135 · see citing works
Isenmann, E., Ambrosio, G., Joseph, J. F., Mazzarino, M., de la Torre, X., Zimmer, P., Kazlauskas, R., Goebel, C., Botrè, F., Diel, P., et al. (2019) · Archives of Toxicology · doi:10.1007/s00204-019-02490-x · Cited by 127 · see citing works
Psychosexual effects of three doses of testosterone cycling in normal men
Yates, W. R., Perry, P. J., MacIndoe, J., Holman, T., & Ellingrod, V. (1999) · Biological Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/s0006-3223(98)00028-6 · Cited by 133 · see citing works
Hormone Replacement Therapy and Physical Function in Healthy Older Men. Time to Talk Hormones?
Giannoulis, M. G., Martin, F. C., Nair, K. S., Umpleby, A. M., & Sonksen, P. (2012) · Endocrine Reviews · doi:10.1210/er.2012-1002 · Cited by 132 · see citing works
Axell, A.-M., MacLean, H. E., Plant, D. R., Harcourt, L. J., Davis, J. A., Jimenez, M., Handelsman, D. J., Lynch, G. S., & Zajac, J. D. (2006) · American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism · doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00058.2006 · Cited by 125 · see citing works
Noone, J., Mucinski, J. M., DeLany, J. P., Sparks, L. M., & Goodpaster, B. H. (2024) · Cell Metabolism · doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2023.12.025 · Cited by 128 · see citing works
Differential diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease
Geldmacher, D. S., & Whitehouse, P. J. (1997) · Neurology · doi:10.1212/wnl.48.5_suppl_6.2s · Cited by 122 · see citing works
Diagnosis and Management of Anabolic Androgenic Steroid Use
Anawalt, B. D. (2019) · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · doi:10.1210/jc.2018-01882 · Cited by 118 · see citing works
Wiik, A., Lundberg, T. R., Rullman, E., Andersson, D. P., Holmberg, M., Mandić, M., Brismar, T. B., Dahlqvist Leinhard, O., Chanpen, S., Flanagan, J. N., et al. (2020) · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · doi:10.1210/clinem/dgz247 · Cited by 116 · see citing works
Physiological elevation of endogenous hormones results in superior strength training adaptation
Rønnestad, B. R., Nygaard, H., & Raastad, T. (2011) · European Journal of Applied Physiology · doi:10.1007/s00421-011-1860-0 · Cited by 112 · see citing works
Review of WADA Prohibited Substances: Limited Evidence for Performance-Enhancing Effects
Heuberger, J. A. A. C., & Cohen, A. F. (2019) · Sports Medicine · doi:10.1007/s40279-018-1014-1 · Cited by 108 · see citing works
Sex hormones and skeletal muscle weakness
Sipilä, S., Narici, M., Kjaer, M., Pöllänen, E., Atkinson, R. A., Hansen, M., & Kovanen, V. (2013) · Biogerontology · doi:10.1007/s10522-013-9425-8 · Cited by 106 · see citing works
Andropause: is androgen replacement therapy indicated for the aging male?
Hijazi, R. A., & Cunningham, G. R. (2005) · Annual Review of Medicine · doi:10.1146/annurev.med.56.082103.104518 · Cited by 105 · see citing works
Borst, S. E., Yarrow, J. F., Conover, C. F., Nseyo, U., Meuleman, J. R., Lipinska, J. A., Braith, R. W., Beck, D. T., Martin, J. S., Morrow, M., et al. (2014) · American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism · doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00592.2013 · Cited by 98 · see citing works
Doping in sport: effects, harm and misconceptions
Birzniece, V. (2015) · Internal Medicine Journal · doi:10.1111/imj.12629 · Cited by 99 · see citing works
Treatment of Men for “Low Testosterone”: A Systematic Review
Huo, S., Scialli, A. R., McGarvey, S., Hill, E., Tügertimur, B., Hogenmiller, A., Hirsch, A. I., & Fugh-Berman, A. (2016) · PLOS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0162480 · Cited by 97 · see citing works
O'Connell, M. D. L., Roberts, S. A., Srinivas-Shankar, U., Tajar, A., Connolly, M. J., Adams, J. E., Oldham, J. A., & Wu, F. C. W. (2011) · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · doi:10.1210/jc.2010-1167 · Cited by 98 · see citing works
Bird, S. P., Tarpenning, K. M., & Marino, F. E. (2006) · Metabolism · doi:10.1016/j.metabol.2005.11.011 · Cited by 96 · see citing works
Mitochondrial and sex steroid hormone crosstalk during aging
Velarde, M. C. (2014) · Longevity & Healthspan · doi:10.1186/2046-2395-3-2 · Cited by 96 · see citing works
O’Donnell, A. B., Travison, T. G., Harris, S. S., Tenover, J. L., & McKinlay, J. B. (2006) · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · doi:10.1210/jc.2005-1227 · Cited by 94 · see citing works
Vanderschueren, D., Vandenput, L., Boonen, S., Van Herck, E., Swinnen, J. V., & Bouillon, R. (2000) · Endocrinology · doi:10.1210/endo.141.5.7472 · Cited by 88 · see citing works
Transsexuals and competitive sports
Gooren, L., & Bunck, M. (2004) · European Journal of Endocrinology · doi:10.1530/eje.0.1510425 · Cited by 82 · see citing works
Effects of testosterone on body composition of the aging male
Mudali, S. (2004) · Mechanisms of Ageing and Development · doi:10.1016/j.mad.2004.01.004 · Cited by 77 · see citing works
Juul, A. (2002) · Human Reproduction Update · doi:10.1093/humupd/8.5.423 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
Rana, K., Fam, B. C., Clarke, M. V., Pang, T. P. S., Zajac, J. D., & MacLean, H. E. (2011) · American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism · doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00584.2010 · Cited by 78 · see citing works
Woodhouse, L. J., Reisz-Porszasz, S., Javanbakht, M., Storer, T. W., Lee, M., Zerounian, H., & Bhasin, S. (2003) · American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism · doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00536.2002 · Cited by 73 · see citing works
Self-citationMedication and supplement use by athletes
Ciocca, M. (2005) · Clinics in Sports Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.csm.2005.03.005 · Cited by 72 · see citing works
Ezeh, U., Pall, M., Mathur, R., & Azziz, R. (2014) · Human Reproduction · doi:10.1093/humrep/deu096 · Cited by 71 · see citing works
Benito, P. J., Cupeiro, R., Ramos-Campo, D. J., Alcaraz, P. E., & Rubio-Arias, J. Á. (2020) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph17041285 · Cited by 71 · see citing works
Horwath, O., Apró, W., Moberg, M., Godhe, M., Helge, T., Ekblom, M., Hirschberg, A. L., & Ekblom, B. (2020) · Journal of Applied Physiology · doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00893.2019 · Cited by 70 · see citing works
Exercise and the regulation of skeletal muscle hypertrophy
McGlory, C., & Phillips, S. M. (2015) · Progress in molecular biology and translational science · doi:10.1016/bs.pmbts.2015.06.018 · Cited by 69 · see citing works
Body composition, metabolic syndrome and testosterone in ageing men
Allan, C. A., Strauss, B. J. G., & McLachlan, R. I. (2007) · International Journal of Impotence Research · doi:10.1038/sj.ijir.3901552 · Cited by 67 · see citing works
Improving muscle mass: Response of muscle metabolism to exercise, nutrition and anabolic agents
Tipton, K. D., & Ferrando, A. A. (2008) · Essays in Biochemistry · doi:10.1042/bse0440085 · Cited by 66 · see citing works
McCullough, D., Webb, R., Enright, K. J., Lane, K. E., McVeigh, J., Stewart, C. E., & Davies, I. G. (2021) · Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders · doi:10.1007/s11154-020-09616-y · Cited by 62 · see citing works
Androgens affect myogenesis in vitro and increase local igf-1 expression
SCULTHORPE, N., SOLOMON, A. M., SINANAN, A. C. M., BOULOUX, P.-M. G., GRACE, F., & LEWIS, M. P. (2012) · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · doi:10.1249/mss.0b013e318237c5c0 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Androgens and athletic performance of elite female athletes
Bermon, S. (2017) · Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes & Obesity · doi:10.1097/med.0000000000000335 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
Respiratory and Skeletal Muscles in Hypogonadal Men with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Laghi, F., Langbein, W. E., Antonescu-Turcu, A., Jubran, A., Bammert, C., & Tobin, M. J. (2005) · American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine · doi:10.1164/rccm.200412-1643oc · Cited by 57 · see citing works
Resistance training increases SHBG in overweight/obese, young men
Roberts, C. K., Croymans, D. M., Aziz, N., Butch, A. W., & Lee, C. C. (2013) · Metabolism · doi:10.1016/j.metabol.2012.12.004 · Cited by 50 · see citing works
Baume, N., Schumacher, Y. O., Sottas, P.-E., Bagutti, C., Cauderay, M., Mangin, P., & Saugy, M. (2006) · European Journal of Applied Physiology · doi:10.1007/s00421-006-0271-0 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism in Men with Type 2 Diabetes
Dandona, P., Dhindsa, S., Chandel, A., & Chaudhuri, A. (2009) · Postgraduate Medicine · doi:10.3810/pgm.2009.05.2001 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
Hunter, S. K., Angadi, S. S., Bhargava, A., Harper, J., Hirschberg, A. L., Levine, B. D., Moreau, K. L., Nokoff, N. J., Stachenfeld, N. S., & Bermon, S. (2023) · Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine · doi:10.1249/tjx.0000000000000236 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Bhasin, S., Krishnan, V., Storer, T. W., Steiner, M., & Dobs, A. S. (2023) · The Journals of Gerontology: Series A · doi:10.1093/gerona/glad027 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
Self-citationCalbet, J. A. L., Ponce-González, J. G., Calle-Herrero, J. D. L., Perez-Suarez, I., Martin-Rincon, M., Santana, A., Morales-Alamo, D., & Holmberg, H.-C. (2017) · Frontiers in Physiology · doi:10.3389/fphys.2017.00483 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
- Authors
- Bhasin, S., Storer, T. W., Berman, N., Callegari, C., Clevenger, B., Phillips, J., Bunnell, T. J., Tricker, R., Shirazi, A., & Casaburi, R.
- Affiliations
- Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (US)
- El Camino College (US)
- Harbor–UCLA Medical Center (US)
- Oregon State University (US)
- Venue
- New England Journal of Medicine
- Publisher
- Massachusetts Medical Society
- Published
- 1996-07-04
- Volume
- 335
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 1-7
- ISSN
- 0028-4793 (ISSN-L)
- 1533-4406
- OpenAlex
- W2326289669
- Cited by
- 1,659
- References
- 35
- Citations by year
- 2026: 41 · 2025: 52 · 2024: 43 · 2023: 56 · 2022: 81 · 2021: 67 · 2020: 59 · 2019: 54 · 2018: 48 · 2017: 50 · 2016: 54 · 2015: 59 · 2014: 58 · 2013: 53 · 2012: 56
- FWCI
- 44.96
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- New England Journal of Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health (7r01dk045211-04)
- U.S. Public Health Service (MO-00543)
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (1RO1-DK-45211)
- National Center for Research Resources (P20 RR 11145-01, P20RR011145)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Hormonal and reproductive studies
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Doping in Sports
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
- Keywords
- testosterone, testosterone enanthate, anabolic steroids, muscle size, muscle strength, fat-free mass, resistance training, weightlifting, athletes, muscle hypertrophy
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Affect, Anger, Behavior, Biomechanical Phenomena, Body Weight, Double-Blind Method, Gonadotropins, Pituitary, Humans, Injections, Intramuscular, Lipids, Male, Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin, Testosterone, Weight Lifting, Muscle, Skeletal
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
