Sex Differences in Resistance Training: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Methodology

Meta-analysis

Population

50 studies of men and women aged 18-50 y, predominantly untrained participants

Intervention

Resistance training in men vs. women; between-sex comparison of relative changes

Findings

There was no significant sex difference in relative muscle hypertrophy following resistance training. Women showed significantly greater relative upper-body strength gains than men, with no significant sex difference in lower-body strength gains — undermining the claim that women adapt less or need fundamentally different training.

Outcome measures

Relative muscle hypertrophy, relative upper-body strength gain, relative lower-body strength gain

Limitations

Mostly untrained participants aged 18-50, so results may not transfer to trained women or to peri/postmenopausal women; relative (percentage) rather than absolute changes analysed; menstrual-cycle phase and contraceptive use not controlled in most primary studies.

Original source

DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003521 · PMID: 32218059