Aizawa, K., Akimoto, T., Inoue, H., Kimura, F., Joo, M. Murai, F., Mesaki, N., & Tanaka, K. (2003). Resting serum DHEAS level increases after weight-week resistance training among young females. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 35(5), Supplement abstract 2064.

This study examined changes of resting serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) [an indicator of one of the endogenous anabolic hormones that play an important role in muscle hypertrophy and resistance training] over eight weeks of resistance training. Healthy untrained females were divided into a resistance-training group (N = 10) and a control group (N = 9). Resistance training was performed twice a week.

In the training group, resting concentration of serum DHEAS, 1 RM strength, and body and lean body mass were increased significantly upon completion of training. Serum testosterone and cortisol concentrations remained unchanged. Change in DHEAS was correlated significantly with lean body mass change (r =.61).

Implication. The significant increase in DHEAS suggests it might be an anabolic hormone marker for resistance training in young females. It remains to see whether other endogenous anabolic hormones also increase as a result of resistance training in this gender-age group.

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