If you are an athlete, chances are that you have heard plenty of discussions about testosterone boosters. Most likely, you have also read through more than your share of confusing information about testosterone boosters. After all, testosterone is well known for its performance enhancing benefits, such as facilitating muscle growth and strength. But, how important is testosterone really?
Below, you will find the answers to how important testosterone boosters are among athletes and why.
Enhanced Muscle Mass
As mentioned above, testosterone is largely responsible for increased muscle mass, something all athletes need to improve their performance. While you are training, your muscles endure microscopic tears, which must be rebuilt during periods of rest. Increased testosterone levels enhance the rate at which these muscles are rebuilt. As a result, you can work harder in the gym without fear of overtraining. This is particularly true if you are taking part in hypertrophy-based strength training.
In a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1996, researchers compared the increase in muscle strength and size in a group of men given testosterone boosters, while undergoing strength training, and a second group that did strength training alone.
They found that the group that did strength training, while being given supplemental testosterone the supplement reviews showed, had a significant increase in muscle strength and size over the men in the second group. The first group saw a muscle size increase of more than 600 mm in their quadriceps, while the second group actually experienced a 100 mm loss in size. The first group also saw their bench press 1RM improve by 9 kg (19.8 pounds), while the second group experienced no change in their bench press 1RM.
Improved Motivation and Drive to Train and Win
When taking natural testosterone boosters, users report that they experience increased motivation during their workouts. In simple terms, the higher your testosterone level, the more you urge yourself to train harder. Separate studies have found that this is equally true for male and female athletes.
In a 2013 study, the pregame and postgame testosterone levels of 22 male professional rugby players were taken in six different games (3 wins and 3 losses). Researchers found that when the players had higher pregame testosterone levels, they had an increased chance of winning. On the other hand, when their pregame levels of testosterone were low, they had a greater chance of losing. Why? Their enhanced levels of testosterone motivated them to train and play harder, increasing their odds of winning.
In a completely different study, also conducted in 2013, researchers watched as female athletes completed five training sessions. When measuring their testosterone level, they found that the women with the highest levels would select heavier training weights. As a result, researchers concluded that higher testosterone levels led to an increased motivation to train.
Greater Spatial Ability
Spatial ability refers to your ability to understand, reason, and remember the spatial relations among objects or space. Evidence indicates that an athlete’s spatial ability plays a crucial role in the highest level of competitive sports. Essentially, those athletes with the greatest spatial abilities have a better prowess in action. Testosterone levels are known to influence spatial ability.
In a 2014 study, 60 female college athletes and 60 male college athletes (gymnasts, track and field, swimmers, and ballplayers) were involved in a study measuring their spatial ability. Researchers learned that the higher the level of their spatial ability and motor skills, the fewer errors they made and the shorter their reaction time.
How Sports Can Affect Your Testosterone Level
From the information presented above, it is pretty obvious that testosterone is crucial for athletes who are committed to performing at the highest level possible. What you may find interesting is that the sport(s) you are involved in can directly affect your testosterone level. For example, athletes involved in sprinting and resistance training see their testosterone levels increase greatly, while those participating in endurance training will experience a decrease in their testosterone levels.
How Your Lifestyle Can Affect Your Testosterone Levels
Several aspects of your lifestyle can also affect your testosterone level like use nootropic supplements can improve your testosterone level. For example:
When you are under greater amounts of stress, your testosterone levels tend to drop.
Getting too little sleep can reduce your testosterone levels because your body naturally produces testosterone while you are in the deepest stages of sleep.
Women who take oral birth control are likely to have lower testosterone levels.
Higher levels of body fat, particularly when it is centered around your belly, can contribute to lower cholesterol levels
Excessive alcohol consumption (any more than two drinks per day) reduces testosterone levels because it converts it to estrogen in the body and it can interfere with signals being sent to the brain intended to regulate testosterone production.
Getting Your Testosterone Levels Back on Track
You will have to visit the doctor to learn what the testosterone level in your body is. If you learn that it is low, you have multiple options for increasing it naturally. In addition to letting go of some of the stress in your life, getting more sleep, reducing your body fat, and putting down the alcoholic beverages, you can also take a natural testosterone booster. When taken as suggested, they can give your testosterone levels the boost it needs, allowing you to take full advantage of the athletic benefits.
Keep in mind that high testosterone levels have been shown to improve the performance and enhance the motivation of both male and female athletes. Now, it’s time to have your testosterone level checked! If you learn that your testosterone levels are a tad on the low side, you’ll want to start looking for the Best Natural Testosterone Boosters. It almost goes without saying that one of the biggest advantages to using a natural booster is your enhanced athletic performance.
Finding a Natural Testosterone Booster
With so many options in the market, we wanted to make finding a high quality booster as easy as possible for you. The article linked above takes you through how testosterone boosters work and reviews their top 4 favorite boosters. Keep in mind that natural boosters have the same chemical makeup as the hormone that is naturally produced within your body, while synthetic testosterone is a variation of the hormone that is produced in a laboratory.
Have you scheduled your appointment to have your testosterone levels checked? The sooner you know your testosterone level, the sooner you’ll know how using a natural booster may help your athletic performance.