.svg)
.svg)
For men passionate about sports, performance, and physical fitness, testosterone often gets a lot of attention and with good reason. As the primary male sex hormone, testosterone plays a role in libido, skeletal muscle growth, energy, and more. But how much does it actually affect your physical ability? Can increasing your testosterone levels really help you train harder, run faster, or hit the ball farther?
Let’s take a closer look at what the science says (and what it doesn’t) about testosterone’s relationship with muscle growth, endurance sports, and athletic performance.
The Link Between Testosterone and Muscle Growth
If you’re a man who has been working on his physique through strength training, testosterone may be a key player in your results. Testosterone stimulates muscle protein synthesis, which is the process your body uses to repair and build new muscle tissue after a workout.
In one study from the Journal of Applied Physiology, researchers found that testosterone directly increases muscle mass and muscle protein synthesis in men. Participants who received testosterone therapy saw significant increases in lean body mass, even without changes in physical activity levels.
That doesn’t mean testosterone is a shortcut to getting ripped without putting in the work. But it does show how important hormone levels are in supporting the benefits of consistent training.
Takeaway: If you're lifting weights or following a diet for muscle growth, healthy testosterone levels may help your body make the most of those efforts. For men with low testosterone, even a dedicated gym routine may not yield the results you’d expect.
Testosterone and Endurance Sports: A Complicated Relationship
While testosterone may help support muscle growth, the connection to endurance sports like long-distance running or cycling is a bit more nuanced. In fact, research shows that men who engage in long-term endurance training may have lower testosterone levels than average.
A study in the Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry coined this the "exercise-hypogonadal male condition." The research found that consistent high-volume endurance exercise, such as logging long runs week after week, can lead to suppressed testosterone production. While these athletes are otherwise healthy, their hormone levels resemble those of men with clinically low testosterone.
Why does this matter? Because low testosterone isn’t just about muscle mass. It can lead to fatigue, mood changes, decreased bone density, and even higher injury risk.
What this means for athletes: Endurance sports are great for cardiovascular health, but over time, they may lower testosterone levels. Men experiencing symptoms of low testosterone may benefit from hormone testing and could potentially discuss testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) with their provider.
Testosterone’s Role in Recovery and Performance
Recovery is just as important as training when it comes to building endurance, strength, and consistency. Testosterone has been shown to improve post-workout muscle recovery and reduce exercise-induced muscle damage, especially in men with low baseline levels.
That means testosterone doesn’t just help you grow muscle; it may help you bounce back faster after workouts, reducing soreness and supporting better training frequency.
Recovery is also critical in sports like golf, where rotational power, muscle stability, and endurance play key roles. Golf physical training often incorporates strength-building and physical therapy routines aimed at improving flexibility and stamina over time. For men struggling with fatigue or recovery, checking testosterone levels may be a helpful first step in optimizing overall athletic performance.
Separating Fact from Fiction in Sports Performance
Let’s clear up a few common myths:
“Testosterone automatically makes you a better athlete.”
Not exactly. While optimal levels may support athletic function, more isn’t always better. Supraphysiologic levels (like those from anabolic steroid use) can cause harm and aren’t the same as medically supervised TRT for men with deficiency.
“Only bodybuilders care about testosterone.”
False. While testosterone’s role in muscle growth is well known, it also supports joint health, mood stability, energy, and drive, all of which are essential for recreational athletes, weekend warriors, and even golfers looking to improve performance.
“TRT is cheating.”
Testosterone replacement therapy is a medically prescribed treatment for hormone deficiency, not a performance enhancer like banned substances. The goal is to restore your natural levels, not exceed them.
Should You Get Your Testosterone Levels Checked?
If you're training hard but not seeing the results you expect, or if you're constantly fatigued, sore, or losing motivation, it may be time to explore what’s happening under the surface. Testosterone testing is a simple blood test that can reveal whether low levels are affecting your athletic performance.
Train Smarter, Not Just Harder
Athletic performance isn’t just about grit and grind. It’s about knowing your body, training wisely, and supporting the systems that power your progress. Testosterone is one of those systems, and whether you're a golfer focused on flexibility and stamina or a weightlifter aiming to increase muscle growth, keeping your hormones in check makes a difference.
Want to learn more about the role testosterone plays in men’s health? Sign up for our newsletter for expert tips and insights.
