Effects of modest testosterone supplementation and exercise for 12 weeks on body composition and quality of life in elderly men

OBJECTIVE: One of the factors that may promote deterioration in quality of life and body composition in elderly men is the relative decline in serum testosterone levels with aging. In this study, we assessed the effects of modest doses of testosterone and a home-based strengthening program on quality of life and body composition in elderly men with relative testosterone insufficiency. DESIGN: Double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized study (testosterone), and additional randomization to a resistance exercise program or no additional exercise for 12 weeks in men between ages of 65 and 85 years with relative testosterone insufficiency. METHODS: Seventy sedentary, community dwelling men were randomized to a 5 mg testoderm transdermal system applied daily vs placebo system, and additionally randomized to a home-based resistance exercise program. Subjects were randomized to Group 1 (testosterone plus exercise), Group 2 (testosterone plus no exercise), Group 3 (placebo plus exercise), and Group 4 (placebo plus no exercise). Endpoints included quality of life (assessed by the short form-36 questionnaire) and body composition (measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry scan). RESULTS: Serum testosterone increased by a mean of 10.0 +/- 1.9, 6.6 +/- 1.6, 0.52 +/- 0.6, and 0.5 +/- 0.6 nmol/l in Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively. There was a significant interaction of testosterone and exercise on quality of life in the domains of physical functioning (P = 0.03), role physical (P = 0.01), general health (P = 0.049), and social functioning (P = 0.04). There were no effects of testosterone or exercise on quality of life alone, nor in body composition parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Modest testosterone supplementation to elderly men with relative testosterone insufficiency improved quality of life when accompanied by an exercise program. The combination of testosterone and exercise may be an important strategy in the elderly, though further studies are necessary to determine the long-term impact on body composition and function and for analysis of risk/benefit ratios as well.