Serum androgen profile and physical performance in women Olympic athletes
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The role of endogenous androgens for body composition and physical performance in women athletes is still not elucidated. AIM: To examine the serum androgen profile in relation to body composition and physical performance in women Olympic athletes and to compare endocrine variables and body composition to controls. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study, conducted between 2011 and 2015 at the Women's Health Research Unit, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm. METHODS: Swedish women Olympic athletes (n=106) and age-matched and body mass index-matched sedentary controls (n=117) were included in the study. Blood sampling was performed in a rested, fasting state for the measurement of serum androgens and their metabolites by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Body composition was determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (controls n=100, athletes n=65). The athletes performed standardised performance tests (n=59) (squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ). RESULTS: The athletes demonstrated significantly higher levels of the precursor androgens dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and 5-androstene-3β, 17β-diol (5-DIOL) and the metabolite etiocholanolone glucuronide (Etio-G), significantly lower levels of estrone (p<0.05, respectively), higher bone mineral density (p<0.001) and more lean mass (p<0.001) compared with controls. Serum levels of DHEA, 5-DIOL and Etio-G correlated positively to lean mass variables and physical performance in the athletes. DHEA and lean mass legs explained 66% of the variance in SJ, whereas lean mass explained 52% of the variance in CMJ. CONCLUSIONS: The present data suggest that endogenous androgens are associated with a more anabolic body composition and enhanced performance in women athletes. These results are of importance for the current discussion regarding hyperandrogenism in women athletes.
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PCOS has higher than expected prevalence among elite female athletes.
“has higher than expected prevalence among elite female athletes (36, 45–47)”
From Circulating Testosterone as the Hormonal Basis of Sex Differences in Athletic Performance (2018) · cites this paper as [36]
In female athletes with PCOS, higher performance has been shown, and their muscle mass and power performance correlate with androgen levels.
“In female athletes with the mild hyperandrogenism of PCOS, higher performance has been shown (47), with their muscle mass and power performance correlating with androgen levels (36).”
From Circulating Testosterone as the Hormonal Basis of Sex Differences in Athletic Performance (2018) · cites this paper as [36]
It is unlikely that mild nonclassical congenital adrenal hyperplasia is a major contributor to the mild hyperandrogenism prevalent among elite female athletes.
“It is unlikely that mild nonclassical congenital adrenal hyperplasia is a major contributor to the mild hyperandrogenism prevalent among elite female athletes.”
From Circulating Testosterone as the Hormonal Basis of Sex Differences in Athletic Performance (2018) · cites this paper as [36]
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- Authors
- Eklund, E., Berglund, B., Labrie, F., Carlström, K., Ekström, L., & Hirschberg, A. L.
- Affiliations
- Karolinska Institutet (SE)
- Karolinska University Hospital (SE)
- Centre hospitalier de l'Université Laval (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Hirschberg, Angelica Lindén
- Venue
- British Journal of Sports Medicine
- Publisher
- BMJ
- Published
- 2017-06-23
- Volume
- 51
- Issue
- 17
- Pages
- 1301-1308
- ISSN
- 0306-3674 (ISSN-L)
- 1473-0480
- OpenAlex
- W2690947106
- Cited by
- 72
- References
- 32
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 2
- FWCI
- 6.26
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Update notices
- correction (2021-09-16)
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- British Journal of Sports Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Vetenskapsrådet
- Clinical Scientist Training Programme
- Swedish Research Council for Sport Science
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Hormonal and reproductive studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Adrenal Hormones and Disorders
- Keywords
- serum androgens, physical performance, body composition, lean body mass, bone mineral density, dehydroepiandrosterone, 5-androstene-3β,17β-diol, estrone, squat jump, countermovement jump, hyperandrogenism, sex differences in athletic performance
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Androgens, Body Composition, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Humans, Sweden, Absorptiometry, Photon, Case-Control Studies, Athletic Performance, Young Adult, Athletes
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