The effect of short-term use of testosterone enanthate on muscular strength and power

The effect of short-term use of testoste... [J Strength Cond Res. 2007] - PubMed - NCBI

The effect of short-term use of testosterone enanthate on muscular strength and power in healthy young men.
Rogerson S, Weatherby RP, Deakin GB, Meir RA, Coutts RA, Zhou S, Marshall-Gradisnik SM.
Source
School of Exercise and Sport Management, Southern Cross University, Lismore, New Wales, Australia. srogerson10@bigpond.com
Abstract
Use of testosterone enanthate has been shown to significantly increase strength within 6-12 weeks of administration (2, 9), however, it is unclear if the ergogenic benefits are evident in less than 6 weeks. Testosterone enanthate is classified as a prohibited substance by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and its use may be detected by way of the urinary testosterone/epitestosterone (T/E) ratio (16). The two objectives of this study were to establish (a) if injection of 3.5 mg.kg(-1) testosterone enanthate once per week could increase muscular strength and cycle sprint performance in 3-6 weeks; and (b) if the WADA-imposed urinary T/E ratio of 4:1 could identify all subjects being administered 3.5 mg.kg(-1) testosterone enanthate. Sixteen healthy young men were match-paired and were assigned randomly in a double-blind manner to either a testosterone enanthate or a placebo group. All subjects performed a structured heavy resistance training program while receiving either testosterone enanthate (3.5 mg.kg(-1)) or saline injections once weekly for 6 weeks. One repetition maximum (1RM) strength measures and 10-second cycle sprint performance were monitored at the pre (week 0), mid (week 3), and post (week 6) time points. Body mass and the urinary T/E ratio were measured at the pre (week 0) and post (week 6) time points. When compared with baseline (pre), 1RM bench press strength and total work during the cycle sprint increased significantly at week 3 (p < 0.01) and week 6 (p < 0.01) in the testosterone enanthate group, but not in the placebo group. Body mass at week 6 was significantly greater than at baseline in the testosterone enanthate group (p < 0.01), but not in the placebo group. Despite the clear ergogenic effects of testosterone enanthate in as little as 3 weeks, 4 of the 9 subjects in the testosterone enanthate group ( approximately 44%) did not test positive to testosterone under current WADA urinary T/E ratio criteria.

Muscular strength, body composition and heal... [J Sci Med Sport. 1999] - PubMed - NCBI

Muscular strength, body composition and health responses to the use of testosterone enanthate: a double blind study.
Giorgi A, Weatherby RP, Murphy PW.
Source
School of Exercise Science and Sports Management, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW, Australia.
Abstract
To determine the effect the steroid, testosterone enanthate (TE) had on upper body strength, body composition and health. Twenty one male weight training subjects were randomly assigned in a double blind method to either a 3.5 mg(-1) x kg(-1) TE (n=11) or placebo (n=10) weight training group. The subjects were monitored during a 12 week administration phase and a subsequent 12 week follow up phase. Subjects were tested on a number of strength and size measurements, whilst having their health monitored. The results from the study revealed that the testosterone/weight training group improved significantly (p<0.05) more than the placebo/weight training group during and immediately after the administration phase on a 1 repetition maximum bench press. With regards to body composition, body weight, arm girth and rectus femoris circumference all increased significantly greater in the TE group compared to the placebo. Furthermore, the abdomen skinfold showed significant decreases in the TE group compared to the placebo group at post testing, follow up mid testing and the follow up post testing occasions. With the exception of the abdomen skinfold no within or between group differences were evident following a cycling off period of 12 weeks. Changes to baseline health indicators were reported in some subjects following testosterone usage. This included an average elevation in systolic blood pressure in all TE subjects by 10 mm Hg, a mild increase in hereditary frontal alopecia, increased muscle tightness (hamstrings and pectorals), a mild increase in libido over the first two weeks with a subsequent fall to normal, mild acne, subjective changes to personality including an increase in aggression, irritability and positive mood responses. Consequently, moderate doses of TE combined with weight training can result in short term significant changes in upper body strength and body composition, with corresponding changes to baseline health in some individuals.

Effect of testosterone administration and weight training on muscle architecture. Effect of testosterone administration a... [Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2001] - PubMed - NCBI
Blazevich AJ, Giorgi A.
Source
Department of Sport Sciences, Brunel University, Osterley Campus, Isleworth, Middlesex TW7 5DU, United Kingdom. anthony.blazevich@brunel.ac.uk
Abstract
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this study was to assess muscle architecture changes in subjects who were administered supraphysiologic doses of testosterone enanthate (TE) and concurrently performed heavy resistance training.

METHODS:
Ten subjects were randomly selected from the 21 subjects who participated in a previously published study (12). Subjects were allocated to one of two groups as per Giorgi et al. (12) and received either a saline-based placebo (nonTE) or a 3.5-mg.kg-1 body weight dose of TE by deep intramuscular injection once a week for 12 wk. Subjects also performed heavy resistance training using exercises that targeted the triceps brachii muscle. Before and after the training period, free-weight one-repetition-maximum (1-RM) bench press strength was tested, muscle thickness and pennation of the triceps brachii lateralis were measured using ultrasound imaging, and fascicle length was estimated from ultrasound photographs.

RESULTS:
There were no significant between-group differences in muscle thickness changes despite a trend toward increased thickness in TE subjects (TE, 23.5%, vs nonTE, 13.8%). However, 1-RM bench press performance and muscle pennation increased significantly in TE subjects compared with nonTE subjects (P < 0.05). There was also a trend toward longer fascicle lengths in the muscles of nonTE subjects.

CONCLUSION:
The results of the present study suggest that the use of TE in conjunction with heavy resistance training is associated with muscle architecture changes that are commonly associated with high-force production. Since there was little difference between the groups in muscle thickness, changes in pennation and possibly fascicle length may have contributed to strength gains seen in TE subjects.

Thank you Max for that contribution, I very much appreciate it Sir.
I find it peculiar how the earlier study you’ve put up:Cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for the action of testosterone on human
makes a distinct difference (100% in fact) between what is a high dosage (300mg of test) and a supraphysiological dosage (600mg of test), and what this study: Effect of testosterone administration a... [Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2001] - PubMed - NCBI calls a supraphysiological dosage, which is only 300mg (and 100%) less when compared to the study made by Doctor F Kadi in 2008. I just thought the 100% difference in dosage was rather interesting.


Fadi.

No problem at all Fadi.

Methodical differences/limitations makes for interesting and differing findings. It is easy to see how people can over look those factors when coming to their conclusions on why/justifying their protocols.

IMO I think the first study http://ausbb.com/steroids-performan...ms-responsible-action-testosterone-human.html has the correct wording and protocol to justify their findings and the basis for a protocol to adhere to etc.

MaxBrenner said:

IMO I think the first study Cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for the action of testosterone on human has the correct wording and protocol to justify their findings and the basis for a protocol to adhere to etc.

Click to expand...

I agree with you Max and find it one of the best studies I've read. Thank you.


Fadi.

Interesting, I only read your first post Max and that alone was interesting, I'll have to go through the whole lot with the Studies and get back on here with my thoughts/opinions.

Thankyou.