Cardiorespiratory fitness and the relationship between body fat and resting testosterone in men

Objective: To examine the effect of cardiovascular fitness, i.e. VO(2)max, on the relationship between weight status and resting testosterone level (RTL) in males. Materials and methods: A subset of male participants from the 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed by weight status, i.e. normal, overweight, obese, and all participants. Bivariate correlation coefficients were computed for RTL, percent body fat (BF%), and VO(2)max. Partial correlation coefficients were computed between RTL and BF% controlling for VO(2)max and between RTL and VO(2)max controlling for BF%. Results: Bivariate correlations between RTL and BF%, and RTL and VO(2)max were significant in all groups. The partial correlation coefficients between RTL and BF% controlling for VO(2)max were significant in the normal and all participants group. When RTL and VO(2)max were analyzed controlling for BF% only the all participants group remained significant. Conclusion: Cardiovascular fitness or weight status may independently influence RTL in males.