Rückblick: Männergesundheitslauf am 1. Mai in München
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Looking back: Men's health run on May 1st in Munich

MD Niklas Marizy

MD Niklas Marizy

Medical Doctor and Head of Medical at Adon Health

Exercise, exchange and education along the Isar

May 1st was the day: Together with our partners from Team NVRSTP, we organized a very special men's health run in Munich with Adon Health. In perfect weather (17 degrees and sunshine), motivated men gathered to make a strong statement together for physical and mental men's health.

Two running groups, one goal: promote health

Whether 5 kilometers or 10 kilometers, performance was not the focus for either group, but rather the journey together. The jogging along the Isar offered the ideal opportunity to get the body and mind moving. Because: Running is one of the most effective sports to increase physical fitness, strengthen the cardiovascular system, and reduce the risk of common diseases.

Exchange at the ALRIGHTY Café: men's health in focus

After the run, all participants met at the ALRIGHTY Café in Munich's Werksviertel. Over coffee and water, there was an open and inspiring exchange about central topics of men's health.

In a safe space, personal stories were shared, from individual challenges to successes through lifestyle changes. At the same time, there were well-founded insights on medical topics such as testosterone deficiency, preventive examinations, mental health, and prevention. This mix of experience and science made the day particularly valuable for many participants.

Men's health needs visibility and exercise

Our goal was clear: make men's health visible and get people talking, beyond taboos. The men's health run showed how great the need for exchange and exercise is. And how easy it can be to do something for your own health: together, openly, and without pressure.

We look forward to the next event!

This day was a complete success, thanks to the great community and our strong partner Team NVRSTP. We are already looking forward to the next joint event around exercise, health, and exchange!

 

🎧 Even more insights? In our men's health podcast, the founders of Team NVRSTP talk about their vision, the creation of their running club, and how they rethink sports as a social experience. It's worth listening in!

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The essentials in brief US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced on July 15, 2026, that testosterone testing for soldiers aged 30 and over will be mandatory and repeated annually. The test will become part of the Periodic Health Assessment, which has been mandatory in the US military since 2016. Younger service members can choose to be tested. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is expressly not required – it remains an option for those affected who wish to pursue it in consultation with their doctors. From a medical perspective, this is a remarkably sensible step. In men, testosterone levels drop by an average of around 1% per year from about age 30, and the biologically active free fraction by about 2% per year [1, 2]. In the United States, where lifestyle factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, and metabolic disorders are widespread, a significant proportion of men aged 45 and over have a testosterone deficiency that requires treatment [3]. For a profession whose physical and mental performance can mean the difference between life and death, regular transparency regarding this value is not a luxury, but a sensible protective measure. What exactly did Hegseth announce? Following the announcement, testosterone testing will become part of the regular Periodic Health Assessment in the US military. The key points: Mandatory from age 30: Service members aged 30 and over will be routinely tested for their testosterone levels. Annual repeat testing: The test will be repeated as part of the annual health assessment, allowing for monitoring of changes over time. Voluntary for younger service members: Soldiers under 30 can also choose to be tested. Therapy remains voluntary: Testosterone replacement therapy is not mandatory. If a deficiency is detected, treatment can – but does not have to – be provided if the affected soldier wishes to receive it. Hegseth justified the initiative by stating that "our most critical tactical advantage has always been the individual warrior." It is "not about artificial performance enhancement, but about restoring and optimizing natural abilities, protecting longevity, and ensuring the biological foundation needed to endure and fight." Our assessment: A good initiative – especially in the United States We consider this move to be sensible. Testosterone is far more than the "male hormone" of cliché. It is a key regulator of muscle strength, bone density, fat distribution, blood formation, mood, motivation, concentration, and libido [3]. A deficiency often goes unnoticed for years because the symptoms – fatigue, loss of strength, low mood, declining concentration – develop gradually and are easily attributed to other causes. Especially in the United States, where adverse lifestyle factors are particularly widespread, the prevalence of testosterone deficiency is high. If the level is not measured, the problem will not be found. A low-threshold, standardized measurement – as Hegseth proposes – creates exactly the transparency needed to identify affected men early and enable them to make an informed decision. It is therefore correct that therapy remains voluntary: It is about information and self-determination, not coercion. For soldiers, an additional aspect comes into play: They risk their health and their lives and depend on maximum physical and mental performance. If a simple blood test helps detect a hormone deficiency that is relevant to performance and health, it is a logical component of preventive troop care. The scientific background Testosterone declines from age 30 – slowly but steadily From about age 30, men's testosterone levels decline continuously. The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging showed a decline in total testosterone of around 1% per year, while the free (biologically active) fraction declines even more sharply – by about 2% per year [1]. Similar figures were provided by the Massachusetts Male Aging Study: total testosterone fell by just under 1% annually, while free and bioavailable testosterone fell by about 2–3% per year [2]. You can find more on the topic of testosterone and aging in our blog: Testosterone in Transition: Why Age Is Only Part of the Explanation The reason for the sharper decline in the free fraction: With age, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) increases, which binds testosterone in the blood and thus renders it ineffective. This is why a man can have a functional deficiency of the active hormone despite "normal" total testosterone – a reason why a single snapshot measurement is often insufficient and why longitudinal measurements are valuable. How widespread is deficiency? The figures are striking. In the US "Hypogonadism in Males" (HIM) study, 38.7% of men aged 45 and over had a testosterone deficiency (total testosterone < 300 ng/dl) [3]. The European Male Ageing Study also confirmed that a significant proportion of older men met the criteria for (symptomatic) hypogonadism [4]. Obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome – particularly common in the United States – are among the strongest risk factors and explain why the prevalence is so high there. Why testosterone matters for performance and health Testosterone has anabolic effects: Controlled studies show a clear, dose-dependent relationship between testosterone levels and gains in muscle mass and strength [5]. For a profession in which physical performance determines success and safety in the field, this is directly relevant. Beyond muscle mass, low testosterone levels are associated with a range of health risks. In the EPIC-Norfolk cohort, low endogenous testosterone was associated with increased all-cause and cardiovascular mortality [6]; other cohort analyses also found a link between low testosterone and higher mortality [7]. Symptoms of deficiency include fatigue, weakness of motivation and concentration, low mood, reduced libido, as well as loss of muscle mass and bone density – all factors that directly impair mental and physical performance. Important for context: Testosterone correlates strongly with a man's overall health and is a sensitive indicator of lifestyle and metabolic health. A low value is often an early warning sign of underlying problems such as obesity, insulin resistance, or chronic stress. This is precisely why the measurement is so valuable – not only as a basis for possible therapy, but as a health check with a signaling effect. What does this mean beyond the military? The military context makes the topic particularly tangible, but the underlying logic applies to all men aged 30 and over: What is not measured cannot be managed. A testosterone check – ideally including free testosterone and SHBG – provides clarity, enables monitoring of changes over time, and lays the foundation for targeted lifestyle measures (strength training, sleep, weight loss, stress management) or, where medically appropriate, medically supervised therapy. Hegseth's initiative brings a topic into public debate that has long been underestimated in men's health. The core is not "more testosterone at any cost," but transparency, early detection, and informed decision-making – a principle that applies far beyond the barracks. This article is for informational purposes and does not replace individual medical advice. If a testosterone deficiency is suspected, the investigation and, if necessary, therapy should be carried out under medical supervision. Sources Announcement Hegseth announces annual testosterone screenings for service members. The Hill, July 15, 2026. https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5969935-hegseth-testosterone-testing-dod/ Forged by the T: Pentagon launches testosterone screening program for troops. Military Times, July 15, 2026. https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2026/07/15/forged-by-the-t-pentagon-launches-testosterone-screening-program-for-troops/ Hegseth requires testosterone deficiency screening for service members over 30. CBS News, July 2026. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hegseth-testosterone-deficiency-screening-service-members/ Hegseth announces annual testosterone screenings for service members age 30 or older. Stars and Stripes, July 15, 2026. https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2026-07-15/hegseth-approve-testosterone-testing-troops-22274442.html Scientific Primary Literature Harman SM, Metter EJ, Tobin JD, Pearson J, Blackman MR. Longitudinal effects of aging on serum total and free testosterone levels in healthy men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2001;86(2):724–731. (Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging) Feldman HA, Longcope C, Derby CA, et al. Age trends in the level of serum testosterone and other hormones in middle-aged men: longitudinal results from the Massachusetts Male Aging Study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2002;87(2):589–598. Mulligan T, Frick MF, Zuraw QC, Stemhagen A, McWhirter C. Prevalence of hypogonadism in males aged at least 45 years: the HIM study. Int J Clin Pract. 2006;60(7):762–769. Wu FCW, Tajar A, Beynon JM, et al. Identification of late-onset hypogonadism in middle-aged and elderly men. N Engl J Med. 2010;363(2):123–135. (European Male Ageing Study) Bhasin S, Woodhouse L, Casaburi R, et al. Testosterone dose-response relationships in healthy young men. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2001;281(6):E1172–E1181. Khaw KT, Dowsett M, Folkerd E, et al. Endogenous testosterone and mortality due to all causes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer in men: EPIC-Norfolk Prospective Population Study. Circulation. 2007;116(23):2694–2701. Araujo AB, Dixon JM, Suarez EA, Murad MH, Guey LT, Wittert GA. Endogenous testosterone and mortality in men: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2011;96(10):3007–3019.

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