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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
By Daily Mail Reporter PUBLISHED: 00:21 GMT, 23 August 2013 | UPDATED: 06:55 GMT, 23 August 2013

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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. 'But the Tsimane have to use a lot more food energy to get the calories it needs.'

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Comments (71)
Newest Oldest Best rated Worst rated View all Infants can kick a football / but they cannot fell a tree. - jaypee196 , london, 24/8/2013 18:24 Click to rate Report abuse My granny is more manly than a footballer - MATT127 , Swindon, United Kingdom, 24/8/2013 16:11 Click to rate Report abuse Nick M, 9:17 = Learn how to tell a joke and you might get a laugh. - db , essex, 24/8/2013 10:38 Click to rate Report abuse D B, Essex, learn spelling, grammar, syntax and punctuation and your comments just may be taken seriously. - Nick M. , Birmingham, United Kingdom, 24/8/2013 09:17 Click to rate Report abuse Anything is better than fat tattooed felons in tights. - talkaboutnews, San Mateo, 23/8/2013 3:12. You've copped off in Manchester's Ritz then ? - Dogsblox , Manchester, United Kingdom, 24/8/2013 07:26 Click to rate Report abuse Then it sucks to work a behind-the-desk job. - DrWho , Orange, 23/8/2013 19:35 Click to rate Rating 4 Rating 4 Rating 1 Rating 1 Rating 10 Rating 7

Report abuse I think we can all agree, no one considers football/soccer that manly, its not like football/rugby. Where its hard to find a player that doesn't have a string of children. - James Towne , Toledo, United States, 23/8/2013 19:20 Click to rate Report abuse Nick M, 14:12 = Dont give up your day job. - db , essex, 23/8/2013 18:39 Click to rate Report abuse "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." -- wow! the best reason to date not to skip breakfast. - kittenDkat , over there, United States, 23/8/2013 18:08 Click to rate Report abuse Whats the guy chopping wood for his campfire got to do with lumberjacks? - john , malaga. Spain, Spain, 23/8/2013 17:44 Click to rate Report abuse Share this comment The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Rating 6 Rating 3 Rating 1 Rating 2

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