Research

Hormonal

Both constant intensity (CI) and variable intensity (VI) resistance training protocols elicit favorable acute hormonal responses (increased testosterone/cortisol ratio and decreased cortisol) in elderly men, with no significant difference in metabolic or hormonal outcomes between the two methods when loads are equalized.

For elderly men, both constant weight (75% 1RM) and pyramid-style (67-80% 1RM) resistance training produce similar favorable acute hormonal shifts (improved T:C ratio). You do not need to complicate your workout with pyramid schemes to get hormonal benefits; sticking to a constant intensity is equally effective and potentially easier to manage. Focus on consistency and progressive overload over time rather than chasing acute hormonal spikes.

ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
Although no significant differences were observed between the two interventions in relation to the hormonal and metabolic parameters analyzed, both training methods promoted a favorable response, with a slight superiority noted for the CI method relative to the hormonal profile.
Marcos Rodolfo Ramos Paunksnis et al. · The Aging Male · 2017

Why this rating

Small sample size (n=12), short duration (acute/sub-acute), and lack of long-term hypertrophy data.

Source

Metabolic and hormonal responses to different resistance training systems in elderly men

Marcos Rodolfo Ramos Paunksnis et al. · The Aging Male · 2017

DOI 10.1080/13685538.2017.1379489

crossover · n=12Cited 29×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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