PORTLAND, Ore., Oct. 27 (UPI) -- Higher testosterone levels are associated with reduced loss of lean muscle mass in older men, especially those losing weight, U.S. researchers say.
Lead author Dr. Erin LeBlanc of Kaiser Permanente Northwest in Portland, Ore., said loss of muscle mass and strength contribute to frailty and are associated with falls, mobility limitations and fractures.
Men lose more muscle mass and strength than women as they age, suggesting sex steroids -- and testosterone in particular -- may contribute to body composition and physical function changes.
"Our study finds that men, age 65 and older, with higher testosterone levels lost less muscle mass, especially in their arms and legs, than men this age who had lower testosterone levels," LeBlanc said in a statement. "Men who had higher testosterone levels before they lost weight also lost less leg function and could stand up more easily from a chair than men who had lower testosterone levels before they lost weight."
The researchers used data from 1,183 men age 65 and older. Body composition was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scans and physical performance was measured through a series of exercises that assessed grip strength, lower extremity power, walking speed and the ability to rise from a chair without the use of arms.
"The amount of testosterone men have in their bodies may contribute to how much muscle and strength they lose as they get older," LeBlanc said in a statement.
The study was accepted for publication in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
