Competitive athletes love to take part in their chosen sport. As men age, however, the ability to perform suffers from limitations. Men may not only lose their physical prowess, but they could also see a decline in their mental edge. Frustration increases when a sport continues to cater to older athletes. The martial art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu even developed a subculture of "BJJ over 40" comprised of older practitioners who enjoy "rolling" in the gym or competing in Masters or Seniors divisions on the tournament circuit. For some, a love of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu may prompt them to think about the benefits of hormone replacement therapy.
The Process of Hormone Replacement Therapy
As the body ages, testosterone levels naturally drop, leading to undesirable effects. Maintaining muscles becomes harder while burning fat is more difficult. Mentally, a person might battle fatigue due to "Low T." After performing a blood test, doctors determine a man's eligibility for hormone replacement. If he is, the patient receives a prescribed treatment plan. Clearly, hormone replacement therapy extends beyond jiu jitsu-related concerns. However, the jiu jitsu world often serves as a microcosm of reality.
Lack of Motivation Takes Away the Fun
Decreased motivation and fatigue frequently appear as symptoms associated with low testosterone. A love for the sport leads practitioners to attend class regularly and train hard for upcoming amateur competitions. Over time, hormone problems could undermine motivation. Infrequent class attendance, combined with sluggish performance, takes a lot of the fun out of things. More than likely, such a lethargy probably affects other areas of life. Maybe weak performance in class is a sign that testosterone replacement therapy is worth exploring.
Loss of Strength
Although Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is not an art reliant on strength, possessing some strength and muscle mass helps. Losing either not only makes training harder, but other tasks in life can also become tougher. When you worry about declining strength, speaking with a doctor about hormone replacement may be worthwhile. Low testosterone might be the culprit here.
Not for Performance Enhancement
BJJ and other athletes would likely benefit from hormone replacement therapy, but they must understand the treatment focuses on therapeutically replacing lost testosterone levels. The goal of TRT is not to support performance enhancement through non-therapeutic doses. While physical performance may improve, consider this one of many benefits possible with successful treatment. For most men, such a result may be more than enough.