Many studies have shown that males possess greater strength than females. According to Verkhoshansky, the strength of a female is approximately two-thirds of that of a male of the same body mass and age.
Interestingly it has been shown that there is virtually no difference between male and female muscle strength. This means that the difference in strength is due mostly to the fact that males often have a greater percentage of lean muscle mass, meaning more of their weight is muscle.
Importantly, Verkhoshansky explains that it Is likely that these differences in strength will decrease or disappear among similarly trained male and female athletes.
Further studies reveal that there is a different strength ratio (female to male) for different muscle groups in the male and female.
So, we know we can combat the initial deficiencies that female trainees may face with training, and strength ratios for different muscle groups provide us with more information on which muscle groups or movement patterns may require more training.
Female/Male Strength Ratios for Different Muscle Groups
· Elbow flexors and extensors: 0.55
· Trunk extensors and flexors: 0.60
· Finger flexors and ankle extensors: 0.60
· Finger adductors and knee extensors: 0.65
· Deltoids, hand extensors and flexors: 0.75
· Hip flexors and extensors: 0.80
· Knee flexors and masticating muscles 0.80
These strength ratios reveal some significant differences between body parts. One noteworthy difference is that between some principal upper and lower body muscle groups. Hip flexors, extensors, and knee flexors have a strength ratio of 0.80, while elbow flexors and extensors have a strength ratio of only 0.55. These strength ratios tell us that female athletes could benefit from increased training volume, and more specifically could benefit from more upper body training volume.
Comments