Sex-Specific Adverse Association of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals on Peak Anaerobic Power and Skeletal Muscle Mass of Active Young Adults.

Abstract: dos Santos, JM, Kennedy, T, Zhu, J, McPike, A, Ray, M, Demirci, J, and Dechant, J. Sex-specific adverse association of endocrine disrupting chemicals on peak anaerobic power and skeletal muscle mass of active young adults. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2025-Endocrine disrupting chemicals, such as bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol S (BPS), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a broad class of industrial compounds that induce adverse physiologic outcomes dependent on biologic sex. These chemicals stimulate oxidative stress and impair pathways involved in anaerobic and aerobic energy generation, key drivers of athletic performance. This study aims to analyze the association of BPA, BPS, 2-naphthol (a marker of PAH), and oxidative stress with peak anaerobic power (PAP) and anthropometric characteristics. Peak anaerobic power was assessed in active men and women (n = 54, age 20 ± 1.4, body mass index 25.4 ± 3.8 kg·m-2) using a vertical jump test. Fasting levels of urinary BPA, BPS, 2-naphthol, oxidative stress, blood glucose, and muscle mass were assessed by ELISA, capillary sample analysis, and body composition analyzer, respectively. Peak anaerobic power was negatively associated with BPA and positively with percentage of skeletal muscle and oxidative stress (p < 0.05). Multivariate regression, moderated by nonmodifiable variables associated with PAP such as sex, height, and age, indicated that only BPA was a predictor of PAP (β = -0.186, p = 0.021). Relationships of variables were assessed in each sex, and PAP was negatively associated with levels of BPA and 2-naphthol in woman. Multivariate regression confirmed that those variables are predictors of PAP (p < 0.01). Results support the idea of a sex-specific physiologic impact of BPA and 2-naphthol on PAP, independently of levels of oxidative stress and percentage of muscle. Controlling BPA and 2-naphthol exposure could be a potential strategy to improve PAP in female athletes.