Why lumberjacks really more manly than footballers: Chopping wood 'produces 15% more testosterone than competitive sports'



Research carried out by anthropologists Ben Trumble and Michael Gurven

They found that a physically demanding task critical to farming and food production results in greater levels of testosterone



Football resulted in a 30.1 per cent increase in testosterone compared to chopping wood which resulted in a 46.8 per cent



Chopping wood makes you more manly than playing football, according to new research.

Anthropologists Ben Trumble and Michael Gurven from the University of California have been studying a group of forager-farmers in central Bolivia.

They found that a physically demanding task that is critical to successful farming and food production, results in greater levels of testosterone compared with playing competitive sports like football.



Chopping wood makes you more manly than playing football, according to new research

With football, there was a 30.1 per cent increase in testosterone but chopping wood resulted in a 46.8 per cent increase.



The research appears in an early online edition of the journal Evolution and Human Behaviour.

According to Trumble, testosterone levels are closely related to the availability of food energy.

When young men skip even a single meal, their testosterone levels can drop as much as 10 per cent.

Fast for a couple of days and they decrease to castrate levels.



Researchers found a physically demanding task critical to successful farming and food production, results in greater levels of testosterone compared to activities like football

An infection from a pathogen or parasite and even injuries such as burns or surgery also decreases levels of testosterone.

The body uses food to build muscle mass and maintain a healthy immune system.

When food energy is low, the body must choose between one or the other.

Trumble said: 'I can go to the grocery store and gather 20,000 calories in 10 minutes without breaking a sweat. I don't have to worry about a deficit.