Impact of the Tai Chi Training Participation History on Testosterone to Cortisol Ratio in Female Athletes

Aims: The effects of Tai Chi exercises on the ratio of testosterone and cortisol are less clear, but available research evidences show that aerobic or endurance exercises (as Tai Chi is an aerobic exercise) can affect the ratio of these two hormones and the total amounts. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Tai Chi exercises on the amounts of testosterone and cortisol and also the ratio of serum testosterone to –cortisol in women.
In this quasi-experimental and sectional study in 2015, 42 Tai Chi women were purposefully selected from clubs in Tehran City, Iran, and were divided based on their experience into 3 groups (14 each); the first (6 to 12 months), the second (30 to 42 months) and the third (52 to 64 months). Venous blood samples were taken from all groups after 12 hours of overnight fasting to determine the levels of cortisol, testosterone and testosterone to cortisol ratio. Data were analyzed by SPSS 19 statistical software using non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis, ANOVA and Scheffe post hoc tests.
Findings: There were no significant differences among the three groups according to the mean of serum testosterone, cortisol and testosterone to cortisol ratio (p>0.05).
The history of exercise in Tai Chi women has no effect on the levels of testosterone and serum cortisol and also their ratio.