Endogenous testosterone concentrations and muscle mass, strength and performance in women, a systematic review of observational studies
Authors' conclusion
This review does not support an association between testosterone and muscle mass, strength or performance in women. This, together with the reported associations between free or bioavailable testosterone and muscle mass should be interpreted cautiously due to the predominant use of immunoassay and the inaccuracy of calculated variables. Additionally, biological significance of nonprotein bound testosterone has not been established. Further studies examining the relationship between precisely measured testosterone and muscle mass and function in women are required.
Study context
- Population
- Community-dwelling women; observational studies with at least 100 female participants10 studies
- Outcome
- Associations between endogenous testosterone blood concentrations and muscle mass, strength and performance
Methodological detailsnarrative synthesis, no meta-analysis due to heterogeneity
- Narrative synthesis
- No meta-analysis due to heterogeneity
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Association of testosterone with muscle mass, strength and performance
- No association between total testosterone and muscle mass, strength or performance
- Calculated free or bioavailable testosterone: positive association with lean muscle mass
- Calculated free or bioavailable testosterone: no association with muscle strength or performance
Further pooled results
Included study characteristics
- Cross-sectional studies
- 8
- Longitudinal studies
- 1
- Both cross-sectional and longitudinal data
- 1
- Testosterone by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry
- 2 studies
- Testosterone by immunoassay
- 8 studies
- Each study had high risk of bias in at least one domain
Original publication
Endogenous testosterone concentrations and muscle mass, strength and performance in women, a systematic review of observational studies. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). Published 4 January 2023. doi:10.
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