Hormones, Hypertrophy, and Hype: An Evidence-Guided Primer on Endogenous Endocrine Influences on Exercise-Induced Muscle Hypertrophy

Abstract

VAN EVERY, D.W., A.C. D'SOUZA, and S.M. PHILLIPS. Hormones, hypertrophy, and hype: an evidence-guided primer on endogenous endocrine influences on exercise-induced muscle hypertrophy. Exerc. Sport Sci. Rev., Vol. 52, No. 4, pp. 117-125, 2024. We review the evidence indicating that endogenous changes in these hormones, including testosterone, growth hormone, insulin growth factor-1, and estrogen, and their proposed anabolic effects contribute to and augment resistance exercise training (RET)-induced hypertrophy. Additionally, we provide recommendations for gold-standard methodological rigor to establish best practices for verifying menstrual phases as part of their research, ultimately enhancing our understanding of the impact of ovarian hormones on RET-induced adaptations.