The Claim
In well-trained male kayak sprint athletes, both resistance-type and paddling-based high-intensity interval training increase the testosterone-to-cortisol ratio without significantly altering absolute testosterone or cortisol levels.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
In well-trained male kayak sprinters, two types of high-intensity training raise the ratio of testosterone to cortisol without changing the total amounts of either hormone.
See the scientific wording
In well-trained male kayak sprint athletes, both resistance-type and paddling-based high-intensity interval training increase the testosterone-to-cortisol ratio, suggesting a shift toward an anabolic hormonal environment, though neither training modality significantly altered absolute testosterone or cortisol levels.
Intense exercise activates the brain's hormone control center, which signals the testes to produce more testosterone. At the same time, the stress hormone cortisol stays the same. This makes the balance between testosterone and cortisol shift in favor of muscle building.
What the research says
1 studyIn elite kayak athletes, both intense weight training and intense paddling workouts made the balance of two key hormones favor muscle growth, without changing the total amounts of those hormones — just like the claim says.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.