Antiandrogens in hormonal contraception limit muscle strength gain in strength training: comparison study

To determine antiandrogen effects on muscle strength gain and fat-free mass increase during exercise in women using hormonal contraception with antiandrogen content. The study included 50 women (age range, 18-30 years; mean-/+SD, 26-/+3) using hormonal contraception for at least 12 months before the beginning of the study. They were divided into two groups: "antiandrogen" group (n=26) and "estrogen-progestogen" group (n=24) groups. The subjects participated in strength training sessions 3 times a week during 16 weeks. Initially, there were no differences between the groups in fat-free mass, muscle strength, or maximum oxygen uptake. The parameters were measured before, during, and after the training period. After the training period, the mean increase of fat-free mass was significantly greater in the estrogen-progestogen group (p