A hallmark of aging is the progressive loss of muscle mass and reduction in strength, known as sarcopenia.
Muscle mass progressively decreases by as much as 40% from age 20 to 70 years of age. This process of lowering muscle mass is also called “muscle mass depletion".
Given the serious quality of life problems associated with sarcopenia, there is considerable interest in the development of strategies to prevent, or ultimately reverse age-related muscle loss and weakness.
As shown in the figure below, testosterone therapy with intramuscular testosterone holds great potential for preventing and stopping this age related decline.
Testosterone treatment with injection was more effective than transdermal preparations for increasing lean body mass and muscle strength.
Gains in lean body mass and strength were 3-5 times greater in the injection treatment group. Note that there is significant improvement in the transdermal treatment when compared to no treatment.
Testosterone treatment was associated with significant increases in lean body mass, total body strength, leg strength, and arm strength.
The study also quoted a significant 10-13% increase in total body strength, leg strength, and arm strength.
