“Practicing combat sports has a stronger effect on maintaining or increasing testosterone levels compared to most other sports.”

The present meta-analysis also showed a small, insignificant increase in testosterone (T) (ES = 0.47 [small]; 95% CI -0.45–0.99; p = 0.074) immediately following the combat events, compared to the control condition. Thus, when comparing pre- to post-T level changes among different sports, no significant difference in ES (Q = 4.20; p = 0.122) was observed.

Heavy resistance exercise (HRE) acutely increases testosterone (T) in men, but responses in women are less clear. This study compared acute T responses to HRE in young (20-30 y) vs. older (60-75 y) men and women. Young men showed significant T increases post-exercise, while older men and both women groups had minimal or no change.

Resistance training acutely elevates testosterone levels, with greater responses in multi-joint exercises compared to single-joint. Endurance sports often show decreased testosterone due to prolonged aerobic stress, while power sports like weightlifting show robust acute increases.

Following fight, the testosterone level increased significantly in all groups: to 5.6 ± 0.5 ng/ml (p < 0.001) in the K group, to 4.5 ± 0.5 ng/ml (p < 0.001) in the T group, and to 4.6 ± 0.2 ng/ml in the JWS group (p < 0.001). Also, earlier studies on diverse sport disciplines have noted substantial elevation of blood testosterone, especially in short-term and high-intensity sports.

In our study, the greatest decrease in testosterone concentration was reported 1 h after completing the fight simulation. However, it should be noted that throughout the observation period, changes in testosterone levels were not statistically significant.

A Taekwondo fighting simulation day led to significant decreases in testosterone (males -1.9 ± 1.6 ng/mL) and free androgen index in male adolescent fighters, indicating a catabolic-type hormonal response.

There is no significant difference of basal total testosterone levels between male martial artists and athletes, and it seems there is no direct relationship. In some sports, like martial arts, higher testosterone levels would be desirable due to the importance of aggressiveness and physical contact.

The testosterone levels mean of the martial artist's group was 6.44 (±1.17) ng/mL and the athlete's control group had a mean of 6.09 (±1.32) ng/mL. Comparing values with the Student´s t-test showed no statistically significant difference, with a p value of 0.45. There is no significant difference of basal total testosterone levels between male martial artists and athletes, and it seems there is no direct relationship between testosterone levels and martial arts practice.

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) and heavy, compound resistance training are considered solid options for increasing post-exercise testosterone levels, with some studies showing increases up to 16% after 12 weeks of HIIT.

“If you start to look at men who are competing across a professional level, you can't predict their performance based on their testosterone levels,” says Richard Holt, a professor of endocrinology at the University of Southampton. One analysis found that 25 percent of elite male athletes have testosterone levels below what the International Association of Athletics Federations consider the lower limit for men.

Men's Journal reports that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) significantly increases total testosterone levels, with studies demonstrating improvements in both total and free testosterone after 6-8 weeks of consistent training.

Strength training, particularly with high loads (85-95% of 1RM) and the use of large muscle groups, stimulates a more pronounced transient increase in testosterone levels.

Endurance training often results in higher baseline cortisol and lower testosterone during heavy blocks, while strength training prioritizes neuromuscular capability and tissue repair, requiring a stable testosterone-to-cortisol ratio for peak output.

High-intensity short-duration exercises, including resistance training and combat sports, often lead to acute increases in testosterone, while prolonged endurance sports like marathon running tend to suppress testosterone levels post-exercise. Meta-analyses confirm greater testosterone responses in anaerobic activities compared to aerobic endurance sports.

It has been proven that intense exercise such as high interval training or boxing kickboxing Muay Thai stuff like that or fight training actually increases testosterone output. However, research evidence has suggested that testosterone levels are reduced in response to high stress, for example, low levels of serum testosterone have been reported during psychological stress, physical stress, and actual stress such as surgery.