Testosterone in Masters Competition

By White Lotus Sports on November 23, 2025 • ( 0 )

Testosterone in Masters Competition

This was a topic I never really thought about—until I had my testosterone checked for a chronic fatigue issue. In the end, my levels were normal, so I didn’t have to wrestle with the “what-ifs” regarding amateur competition. But then I went down the YouTube and internet rabbit hole on the ethics of aging and testosterone replacement therapy for amateur Masters athletes.

The core argument comes down to the tension between personal well-being and competitive integrity. On one hand, medical hormone therapy can genuinely restore someone’s quality of life—energy returns, motivation resurfaces, and the fog of aging eases. For many, it’s not about athletic ambition but reclaiming a sense of normalcy. Yet once that same athlete enters a competitive environment, those therapeutic benefits inevitably become performance benefits. Even if the original intent wasn’t to gain an edge, the outcome is still an enhanced physiological state compared to peers who are coping with aging unaided. The question becomes whether it’s fair to bring medically elevated hormone levels into a field where others are intentionally racing within their natural limits.

On the other hand, strict lines exist in sport for a reason: competition relies on shared constraints. When one athlete competes with the help of substances that meaningfully improve recovery, power output, and overall performance—regardless of legality—it undermines the unwritten agreement that everyone is suffering on the same terms. This erodes trust, reshapes results, and shifts the purpose of age-group racing away from camaraderie and mutual challenge toward a pharmacological arms race. The real issue isn’t about judging someone for pursuing better health; it’s about acknowledging that the moment enhancement enters the equation, the playing field tilts. And when the field tilts, the spirit of the competition changes with it.

Check out the videos below on the topic of testosterone replacement in Masters cycling.

Is Taking Testosterone Cheating Or Just Sensible?

Despite being somewhat of a taboo subject in sport, Dan Lloyd is diving into testosterone. 🔎 Can you increase it naturally, or is testosterone replacement therapy a better option? Will TRT improve our quality of life as we age? And with its growing popularity and bold claims, what are the real benefits, side effects, and ethical concerns behind it?

Timestamps:
00:00 Should you take testosterone?
00:48 What does testosterone do?
01:50 Testosterone Decline & Testosterone Replacement Therapy
03:13 Testosterone & Sport
05:40 Should we consider testosterone replacement therapy?
06:58 How would you know whether your testosterone levels are normal?
10:21 Does excessive endurance training decrease testosterone?
13:11 What should someone do if their testosterone levels are low?
15:11 What causes low testosterone?
16:15 Is there a place for TRT?
19:50 What about the ethics of TRT?
24:05 Increasing protein intake to boost testosterone
26:22 Conclusion

The Dark Secret Behind Masters Racing

Anthony dives into the controversial world of performance-enhancing drugs among amateur and age-group racers. With increased competition, access to powerful substances, and the pressure to perform, some masters athletes are crossing lines once reserved for the pros.

This is the side of cycling no one wants to talk about — until now.

Testosterone’s Common Use In Masters Racing (SHOCKING)

Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) has become one of the most divisive topics in Masters cycling. Is it a legitimate medical need—or a performance enhancer in disguise? In this episode, we break down what TRT is, when it’s medically justified, and why it’s rarely granted a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).

We also explore the ethical grey areas of TRT in amateur racing, whether age should excuse its use, and how it fits (or doesn’t) within the spirit of fair competition. With voices on both sides weighing in, including medical perspective and rider experience, this is a conversation about health, performance, and where we draw the line in sport.

This is the dark side of Masters cycling no one wants to talk about – until now.

Testosterone replacement therapy: compelling use cases, side effects, and optimal dosing schedules