Modest Exercise-Induced Increases in Testosterone Concentration Are Not Associated with Mating Strategy Change in Healthy Young Men

Abstract Research has demonstrated that increases in testosterone (T) concentration can affect the expression of behaviours and preferences are typical high mating effort. However, little research considered whether such T strategy more generally this is achievable using a physical intervention. In pilot study, we examined exercise-induced changes covary with, or predict, male strategy. Healthy young men ( N = 94) completed measure short- long-term relationship preference, before after series short cycling sprints. Salivary was measured pre- post-exercise, along with salivary cortisol (C), which known to moderate some behavioural effects T. A significant group-level increase observed, though smaller than anticipated (~ 10%, d 0.27) substantial intragroup variation. No change C emerged. Testosterone did not significantly predict preference from baseline, even inclusion as moderator. The current findings suggest modest have impact on strategies. Pharmaceutical interventions, produce larger consistent increases, may be required observe change.