No gender specific difference in strength performance by non-specific but well-trained persons

Eduard Alfred Thomas Isenmann, Amy Thenhart, Patrick Rene Diel, Stephan Geisler

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftKonferenz-Abstract in FachzeitschriftForschungBegutachtung

Abstract

Background
Gender was believed to be a major determinant for strength performance with men reaching higher relative values than women. However, recent evidence seems to put this opinion in perspective and, thus, the aim of this study was to investigate strength performance of well-trained men and women with similar experience in strength training and comparable body composition values.

Method
A total of 34 (m=18, w =16) participants were categorized into specific-trained (STA) or non-specific-trained (NSTA) athletes. STA was defined by a minimum of 3-years’ experience of systematic resistance training with a mean workload of five training sessions per week while NSTA was defined as only one of the two criteria fulfilled. Outcomes measures included acute strength performance (1-repetition maximum [1-RM]) for back squat (BS) and bench press (BP) as well as bioelectrical impedance analysis to determine body composition markers (lean mass, muscle mass and fat mass).

Results
Body composition analysis revealed significant differences between men and women in both groups for lean mass or muscle mass. Furthermore, significant differences were observed for 1-RM performance in BS or BP between STA and NSTA with no statistical differences for relative strength between men and women within the NSTA group.
Conclusion
This study provides evidence, that gender is not the main determinant for strength-performance in either non-specific strength-trained athlete. Despite a small but significant difference in body composition, relative strength was equal between men and women. However, this study underlines the fact, that training experience and body composition needs to be particularly matched.
OriginalspracheEnglisch
ZeitschriftGerman Journal of Exercise and Sport Research
Jahrgang2019
AusgabenummerBook of Abstract–German Exercise Science & Training Conference
ISSN2509-3142
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 02.2019

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