I hope this question doen’t come out dumb but, here it goes. I have read many articles that state that heavy lifting can increae testosterone levels. My question is does the body for lack of a better word secrete more testosterone as a direct cause of the heavy lifting or is it because the muscle is fatigued to a greater extent?
If you go hard on both, would a session of 10x3 have a greater effect than a session of heavy 4x10? 4x10 would be better for hypertrophy but what kind of effect would it have on test.
It’s funny that you ask this because just a few minutes ago I ran across this study and was thinking about sharing it with my fellow T members.
The salivary testosterone and cortisol response to three loading schemes
This aim of this study was to examine the free hormone (in saliva) responses to squat workouts performed by recreationally weight-trained males, using either a power (8 sets of 6 reps, 45% 1 repetition maximum [1RM], 3-minute rest periods, ballistic movements), hypertrophy (10 sets of 10 reps, 75% 1RM, 2-minute rest periods, controlled movements), or maximal strength scheme (6 sets of 4 reps, 88% 1RM, 4-minute rest periods, explosive intent).
To determine the relative importance of the different training variables, these schemes were equated by workout duration with the power and strength schemes also equated by load volume. Salivary testosterone (T) and cortisol (C) both increased following the hypertrophy scheme (P < 0.05), with little to no hormonal change across the power and maximal strength schemes (P > 0.05). In general, the postexercise T and C responses to the hypertrophy scheme exceeded the other two schemes (P < 0.05). The greater volume of load lifted in the hypertrophy protocol over the same workout duration may explain the endocrine differences observed.
The similar T and C responses to the power and maximal strength schemes (of equal volume) support such a view and suggest that differences in load intensity, rest periods, and technique are secondary to volume. Because the acute hormonal responses to resistance exercise contribute to protein metabolism, then load volume may be the most important workout variable activating the endocrine system and stimulating muscle growth.
Crewther B., et al. J Strength Cond Res. 2008 Jan;22(1):250-5
Basically it just states that testosterone levels (as well as cortisol levels) were increased more from lifting via a hypertrophy routine with squats that utilized higher volume, than a strength or power routine with squats that utilized greater intensity.