What hormone increases in response to resistance training for both men and women?

Testosterone is the hormone that increases in response to resistance training for both men and women. This hormone plays a critical role in muscle growth and repair, as it enhances protein synthesis and promotes an anabolic state in the body. During resistance training, the stress placed on muscles leads to cellular responses that elevate testosterone levels, aiding in recovery and adaptation to the training stimulus.

While men generally have higher baseline levels of testosterone compared to women, women also experience significant increases in testosterone levels following resistance training, albeit to a lesser extent. This hormone not only supports the development of muscle mass but also contributes to strength gains over time.

In contrast, cortisol, while involved in the body's stress response, commonly increases during exercise but is more associated with the regulation of energy and metabolism rather than directly promoting muscle growth. Progesterone and estrogen are primarily associated with reproductive functions and have less direct influence on the muscle-building effects of resistance training. Though they may also fluctuate with training, they do not play the same pivotal role in muscle anabolism as testosterone does.