Exercise Self-Efficacy, Body Composition, and Physical Activity in Men With Hypogonadism
The Mediating Role of Exercise Self-Efficacy in the Relationship Between Body Composition and Physical Activity in Men With Hypogonadism: A Cross-Sectional Study
Male hypogonadism is a chronic endocrine condition characterized by deficient testosterone production, leading to adverse changes in body composition (decreased lean mass, increased fat mass) and various physical and psychological symptoms, including fatigue and reduced motivation. Although testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is the primary medical treatment, its effectiveness in optimizing body composition largely depends on regular physical activity. However, the psychosocial mechanisms underlying exercise engagement in this specific population remain insufficiently explored.
Exercise self-efficacy, an individual's confidence in their ability to perform physical activity, is a major determinant of exercise behavior. While its mediating role between body composition and physical activity has been shown in other clinical populations, it has not been investigated in men with hypogonadism, where low testosterone levels uniquely impair psychological well-being and drive.
The primary objective of this cross-sectional study is to evaluate the mediating role of exercise self-efficacy in the relationship between body composition and physical activity levels in men with hypogonadism receiving TRT. Additionally, the study explores the potential moderating effects of serum total testosterone levels and TRT duration, while controlling for depressive symptoms as a covariate. Findings from this study aim to provide evidence-based guidance for clinicians and physical therapists in designing targeted exercise interventions and timing rehabilitation strategies for hypogonadal patients.
研究概览
详细说明
Male hypogonadism is associated with adverse alterations in body composition, including reduced lean muscle mass and increased adiposity, alongside symptoms such as fatigue, dysphoric mood, and reduced motivation. Although testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) serves as the primary medical intervention, optimizing body composition outcomes relies significantly on concurrent physical activity.
Exercise self-efficacy, the confidence in one's capability to carry out physical activity, is a robust determinant of exercise adherence. In hypogonadism, low testosterone levels uniquely impair psychosocial well-being and motivational drive, creating a distinct biologically driven barrier to exercise engagement that differs from general metabolic or obesity-related populations.
Furthermore, the physiological and psychological responses to TRT follow a time-dependent trajectory. Early stages of therapy may exhibit rapid shifts in mood and sociability, whereas energy levels and physical capacity gradually improve over subsequent weeks and months. This temporal progression suggests that TRT duration and serum total testosterone levels may serve as critical moderators influencing how body composition interacts with exercise self-efficacy and physical activity.
This study evaluates the structural relationships between body composition parameters and physical activity levels in men with hypogonadism. Specifically, it tests whether exercise self-efficacy mediates this relationship, and assesses the potential moderating roles of serum total testosterone levels and TRT duration, while statistically controlling for depressive symptoms to isolate the specific biological and psychosocial pathways.
研究类型
注册 (估计的)
联系人和位置
学习联系方式
- 姓名：Emine Şener Aydın, MD
- 电话号码：+904222118019
- 邮箱：dreminesener@windowslive.com
学习地点
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Bingoel、土耳其（türkiye）
- 招聘中
- Bingol University Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
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接触：
- Aybüke Fanuscu, Pt, PhD
- 电话号码：5548 +904262160012
- 邮箱：afanuscu@bingol.edu.tr
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Malatya、土耳其（türkiye）
- 招聘中
- Malatya Training and Research Hospital
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接触：
- Emine Şener Aydın, MD
- 邮箱：dreminesener@windowslive.com
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参与标准
资格标准
适合学习的年龄
接受健康志愿者
有资格学习的性别
取样方法
研究人群
The study population consists of adult male patients aged 18 years or older who have been diagnosed with primary or secondary hypogonadism (biochemically confirmed morning serum total testosterone <300 ng/dL) and are currently receiving testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Participants will be recruited from patients attending routine clinical visits at the Endocrinology Outpatient Clinic of Malatya Training and Research Hospital.
描述
Inclusion Criteria:
- Confirmed diagnosis of male hypogonadism (primary or secondary; biochemically verified with a morning serum total testosterone level <300 ng/dL).
- Currently undergoing TRT with observed partial or complete symptom remission, evaluated as treatment-responsive by the clinician.
- Aged 18 years or older.
- Ability to read and write in Turkish.
- Voluntary agreement to participate and signature on the informed consent form.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Neurological, orthopedic, or cardiopulmonary conditions independent of hypogonadism that restrict physical activity capacity.
- Diagnosed psychiatric disorders directly impacting exercise self-efficacy and physical activity (e.g., major depressive disorder, psychosis).
- Concomitant endocrine disorders significantly affecting body composition, including uncontrolled or complicated diabetes mellitus (HbA1c >8.0% or presence of diabetic nephropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy) or biochemically unverified euthyroid state in thyroid disease.
- Presence of conditions preventing bioelectrical impedance analysis (e.g., implanted cardiac devices/pacemakers).
- Visual or cognitive impairments preventing the reading and completion of study questionnaires.
- Chronic inflammatory conditions directly affecting body composition and physical capacity (e.g., chronic kidney disease, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, ankylosing spondylitis).
学习计划
研究是如何设计的？
设计细节
- 观测模型：OTHER
- 时间观点：PROSPECTIVE
队列和干预
团体/队列 |
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Men with Hypogonadism on TRT
Male patients aged 18 years or older who have been diagnosed with primary or secondary hypogonadism (biochemically verified morning serum total testosterone <300 ng/dL) and are currently receiving testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). |
研究衡量的是什么？
主要结果指标
结果测量 |
措施说明 |
大体时间 |
|---|---|---|
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Physical Activity Level
大体时间：Baseline
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Assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form (IPAQ-SF). IPAQ-SF evaluates walking, moderate, and vigorous intensity physical activities performed over the last 7 days. Total physical activity score will be calculated as MET-minutes/week. |
Baseline
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次要结果测量
结果测量 |
措施说明 |
大体时间 |
|---|---|---|
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Exercise Self-Efficacy Score
大体时间：Baseline
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Evaluated via the Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (EXSE). The scale consists of 18 items assessing an individual's confidence to maintain exercise across challenging situations. Items are rated on a 0-100 numerical rating scale with 10-unit intervals. Total scores range from 0 to 1800, with higher scores reflecting greater confidence in exercise adherence. |
Baseline
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Body Weight
大体时间：Baseline
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Measured using a Tanita BC-420SMA Bioelectrical Impedance Analyzer. This outcome reports body weight in kilograms. |
Baseline
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Serum Total Testosterone Level
大体时间：Baseline
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Recorded from recent morning routine clinical laboratory records. Measured in nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). |
Baseline
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Depressive Symptoms (Covariate)
大体时间：Baseline
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Evaluated using the depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-D). Contains 7 items, each scored on a 0-3 Likert scale (subscale score ranges from 0 to 21), with higher scores indicating higher levels of depressive symptoms. |
Baseline
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Body Mass Index (BMI)
大体时间：Baseline
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Calculated using height and body weight via a Tanita BC-420SMA Bioelectrical Impedance Analyzer. |
Baseline
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合作者和调查者
调查人员
- 首席研究员：Aybüke Fanuscu, Pt, PhD、Bingol University
研究记录日期
研究主要日期
学习开始 (实际的)
初级完成 (估计的)
研究完成 (估计的)
研究注册日期
首次提交
首先提交符合 QC 标准的
首次发布 (实际的)
研究记录更新
最后更新发布 (实际的)
上次提交的符合 QC 标准的更新
最后验证
更多信息
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