The Testosterone and Exercise (TEX) Trial

Status: Study completed October 2018. Analysis of results underway.

The University of Western Australia and Fiona Stanley Hospital are now recruiting for the TEX trial.  This trial will be studying the effects that testosterone  and/or exercise has on the fitness, physical activity and vascular (heart) health of men.  With an ever increasing number of men being diagnosed with cardiovascular disease the medical community is looking for new ways to improve the health of aging men.  The findings may help to identify those men at risk and therefore offer early intervention.  This is far better than treating existing disease which is often currently the case.

If you are a 50 to 70 year old man with a waist circumference of 95cm or more, live in or around the Perth area, and are interested in participating in this exciting trial you can contact lead Research Nurse, Helen Daniels at helen.daniels@uwa.ed.au . More detailed information about the trial can be found below and by clicking here

What is TEX?

Effects of testosterone and exercise (TEX) on fitness, physical activity and vascular health in men: a 2×2 factorial randomised controlled trial will look at how testosterone and exercise could improve fitness and increase physical activity, as well as improve the function of blood vessels.

Why testosterone and exercise?

Testosterone combined with exercise training improves limb muscle strength and performance more than either alone. However, this combination has not been tested for its effects on fitness and blood vessels. This study will examine whether testosterone and exercise training improves the function of blood vessels more than either alone.

Why is this research important?

Cardiovascular disease manifesting as heart attacks or strokes, becomes increasingly common as men grow older. At the same time, older men have lower levels of testosterone, the main male sex hormone. Low testosterone levels are linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, but it is not known whether giving middle-aged or older men testosterone would reduce this risk. Finding this out could help us preserve the health of Australian men.

Who are we?

The TEX team includes doctors with an interest in hormones and the heart, exercise specialists and research nurses. Members of this multidisciplinary team are based in the University of Western Australia and the Fiona Stanley Hospital. We are committed to finding better ways to prevent cardiovascular disease.

What’s involved?

Participants will be randomly allocated to testosterone, exercise, both or neither. The treatment will last for 12 weeks. We will measure fitness, physical activity, blood pressure, and function and health of major arteries, before and after treatment. These results will discover whether combining testosterone and exercise provides benefits to improve the health of arteries and the heart, and reduce the risk of stroke.

Who can participate?

We are looking for men aged between 50 to 70 years of age with a waist circumference of 95 cm or more (approximately 37 inches). Exclusion criteria will be known cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure or cholesterol, renal failure, prostate cancer or other major medical illness.

Further Information?

For further information please contact Helen Daniels, Research Nurse

Tel: 0498 588 482 or email: helen.daniels@uwa.edu.au