Health Blog

Female athletes are often perceived as less strong than men, with women's muscle strength typically ranging from 40 to 75% of men's, a difference that persists even when adjusting for body size. This gap is particularly notable in upper body strength but diminishes when considering muscle mass, where similarities between men and women emerge.

Despite similar muscle fiber counts, gender differences arise due to variations in muscle tissue type, body shape, and exercise routines. For instance, men may possess more fast-twitch muscle fibers suited for bursts of power. Recent studies highlight comparable leg muscle power between men and women, suggesting that strength and power are influenced not only by muscle size but also by factors such as muscle composition and neural control, encompassing aspects like muscle thickness and fibre angle.