Perceived physical strength in men is attractive to women but may come at a cost to ejaculate quality

Abstract

Studies of sexual selection acting on physical strength in humans have focused mostly on its role in premating male–male competition. Recent theoretical frameworks suggest that male strength could be subject to trade-offs with postmating sperm competitiveness. Here, we examined whether male strength is linked to ejaculate quality. We also asked whether strength is attractive to women and affects male self-reported mating success. Perceived strength was negatively associated with ejaculate quality as predicted by the trade-off hypothesis. Perceived strength positively predicted attractiveness and both perceived strength and attractiveness shared similar variance in predicting self-reported mating success. Our findings indicate that despite the benefits to premating sexual selection, having greater strength may come at a cost to sperm competitiveness. • Physical strength is negatively associated with ejaculate quality in men. • Physical strength also predicts male mating success. • Attractiveness explains the strength – mating success relationship. • Male strength increases attractiveness at a cost to ejaculate quality. • Our results reveal a trade-off between pre- and post mating sexual selection in men.