Nandrolone Decanoate Administration Attenuates Overtraining In Mice

PURPOSE: This study examined the effect of nandrolone decanoate administration on attenuating the risk of overtraining during a ladder-climbing resistance training model. METHODS: Twenty-four male C57Bl/6 J mice, 3-months of age were randomized into three groups (n = 8 per group). Two groups of animals performed a 3-day per week resistance training program for 3-weeks, while the third group remained sedentary and served as the control group (C). The two groups of exercising animals were further randomized into an androgen group (RTA) or a sham group (RTS). Following 3-weeks of training, both RTS and RTA groups increased training volume to six consecutive days to provide the overtraining stimulus. Animals in the RTA group received a supraphysiological dose of nandrolone decanoate (38-mg·kg-1), injected before and after the overtraining week. Mice from RTS received sham injections. Overtraining was defined as an average training volume < 90% of the average daily training volume from the previous week of training. RESULTS: One mouse in RTA was determined to be overtrained, while six mice in RTS were overtrained (p = 0.012). RTA experienced significant reductions in TNF-α in both the plantaris and soleus muscles. In addition, RTS experienced a significant elevation in oxidative stress compared to C in the plantaris, but no differences were noted between RTA and C suggesting a lower oxidative stress response from ND administration. Glucocorticoid expression was significantly lower in the soleus muscle of RTA compared to both RTS and C suggesting a lower catabolic response to the overtraining paradigm. CONCLUSIONS: Nandrolone decanoate intervention attenuated the risk of overtraining. Supported by: This work was supported from an internal grant from Ariel University (RA2300000434) and from the Israel Science Foundation (ISF grant no 1984/21).