Differences In Athletic Performance Research Articles

Sex‐based differences in track running distances of 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1500m in the 8 and under and 9–10‐year‐old age groups

AbstractThere are contradictory claims regarding sex‐based differences in athletic performance before puberty, but there has been minimal evaluation of sex‐based differences in competitive running performance before puberty. The purpose of this project was to determine if there are prepubertal sex‐based differences in track running performance. Finalist times from the USA Track and Field National Youth Outdoor Championships and National Junior Olympic Championships during the years 2016–2023 for running distances of 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1500m in the 8 and under and 9–10‐year‐old age groups were analyzed for sex‐based differences. In the 8 and under age group, the males were, on average, faster (p = 0.000, Hedges' g = 0.632–0.834) than females by 4.0% in the distance of 100m, 4.7% in 200m, 5.3% in 400m, 6.7% in 800m, and 6.1% in 1500m. In the 9–10‐year‐old age group, the males were, on average, faster (p = 0.000, Hedges' g = 0.584–1.089) than females by 2.9% in the distance of 100m, 4.6% in 200m, 4.0% in 400m, 4.0% in 800m, and 5.9% in 1500m. In each distance and age group between 2016 and 2023, the individual fastest male was faster than the individual fastest female by 3.7 ± 2.3%. The present data indicate that, in elite competition, males in the 8 and under and 9–10‐year‐old age groups typically run faster than females of the same age by 2.9%–6.7% for running distances of 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1500m. These findings are of particular importance as government agencies and sports organizations consider policies regarding single sex sports competition for youth.

The Biological Basis of Sex Differences in Athletic Performance: Consensus Statement for the American College of Sports Medicine: Erratum

The Biological Basis of Sex Differences in Athletic Performance: Consensus Statement for the American College of Sports Medicine: Erratum

The speed-gene study: methods, study design and preliminary results

The Speed-Gene study aims to identify genetic variants influencing athletic performance and human locomotion using motion capture technology. Currently, 60 female participants have completed the testing protocol, and the overall aim is to recruit 283 moderately trained, healthy Southeast Asian individuals (18–45 y, BMI < 30). Participants will undergo biomechanical analysis and genetic testing. Several analyses will be performed, including (but not limited to) linear and angular kinematic analysis using motion capture technology, force plate dynamometry and genetic analyses to define novel power/torque related outcomes that would be more sensitive to allele-specific differences in athletic performance. Pretesting beverages will be provided, and activity history and current activity levels will be assessed by a questionnaire. The kinematic data will be obtained using a Qualisys Track Manager (QTM) system, and DNA will be extracted from white blood cells. The participants serve as their own controls. Although the Speed-Gene study is tightly controlled, our preliminary findings still indicate considerable individual variability. More participants and further genetic analysis are required to allow the investigation of potential underlying genetic mechanisms responsible for this individual variability.

The microbiota-gut-brain axis regulates motivation for exercise.

The microbiota-gut-brain axis regulates motivation for exercise.

Sex Differences in Athletic Performance: Perspectives on Transgender Athletes.

Sex hormone concentrations, particularly testosterone, are primary determinants of sex-based differences in athletic and sports performance, and this relationship may inform fair competition and participation for athletes. This article describes the sex-based dichotomy in testosterone and the implications for sex-based differences in individual sports performance, including factors that relate to athletic performance for transgender individuals, and areas of future investigation.

The Biological Basis of Sex Differences in Athletic Performance: Consensus Statement for the American College of Sports Medicine

ABSTRACT Biological sex is a primary determinant of athletic performance because of fundamental sex differences in anatomy and physiology dictated by sex chromosomes and sex hormones. Adult men are typically stronger, more powerful, and faster than women of similar age and training status. Thus, for athletic events and sports relying on endurance, muscle strength, speed, and power, males typically outperform females by 10%–30% depending on the requirements of the event. These sex differences in performance emerge with the onset of puberty and coincide with the increase in endogenous sex steroid hormones, in particular testosterone in males, which increases 30-fold by adulthood, but remains low in females. The primary goal of this consensus statement is to provide the latest scientific knowledge and mechanisms for the sex differences in athletic performance. This review highlights the differences in anatomy and physiology between males and females that are primary determinants of the sex differences in athletic performance and in response to exercise training, and the role of sex steroid hormones (particularly testosterone and estradiol). We also identify historical and nonphysiological factors that influence the sex differences in performance. Finally, we identify gaps in the knowledge of sex differences in athletic performance and the underlying mechanisms, providing substantial opportunities for high-impact studies. A major step toward closing the knowledge gap is to include more and equitable numbers of women to that of men in mechanistic studies that determine any of the sex differences in response to an acute bout of exercise, exercise training, and athletic performance.

Sex Differences in Neurophysiological Changes Following Voluntary Exercise in Adolescent Rats.

Background: Adolescence is a period of time characterized by the onset of puberty and is marked by cognitive and social developments and gross physical changes that can play a role in athletic performance. Sex differences are present with differences in body size, height, physiology and behavior which contribute to differences in athletic performance as well. Pre-clinical studies representing this active group are lacking.Methods: Acute and chronic effects of exercise were evaluated. Male and female adolescent rats were given voluntary access to a running wheel for 10 consecutive days. Running behavior (males and females) and estrous cycling (females only) were analyzed daily. A second group was given 10 days of voluntary access to a running wheel, then rested for 10 days to determine the long-term effects of exercise on the adolescent brain. Brain and muscle tissue were harvested at 10 and 20 day time points to understand exercise-dependent changes in mitochondrial activity and neuroplasticity. Animal cohorts were carried out at two different sites: University of California Los Angeles and Pepperdine University.Results: On average, running distance, intensity of run, and length of running bout increased for both male and female rats across the 10 days measured. Females ran significantly further and for longer intervals compared to males. Cortical and muscle expression of PGC1α showed similar levels at 10 days regardless of sex and exercise. There was a significant increase in expression at 20 days in all groups correlating with body size (p's < 0.05). Cortical and hippocampal levels of BDNF were similar across all groups, however, BDNF was significantly higher in exercised females at the acute compared to long-term time point.Discussion: Adolescent rats allowed 10 days of exercise show changes in physiologic function. There are sex differences in running behavior not impacted by sex hormones. These results are important to further our understanding of how exercise impacts the adolescent brain.

HURDLE STEP COMPONENT SCORE FROM THE FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENT SCREEN IS ASSOCIATED WITH STRENGTH, SPEED, AND JUMP PERFORMANCE

Background:The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is a tool designed to establish a baseline for fundamental movement capacity, highlight limitations and limb asymmetries, and identify potential injury risk. Previous research has shown that individual components of the screen are also indicative of injury risk, as well as potential predictors of athletic performance unlike the FMS composite scores. However, this literature is limited and lacks statistical power. Identifying which component scores are predictive of injury risk and athletic performance would provide a quick, powerful tool for coaches and trainers to evaluate athletes.Purpose:To determine if individual component scores of the FMS are associated with athletic performance in highly-active youth athletes.Methods:Youth athletes participated in the Specialized Athlete Functional Evaluation (SAFE) Program. Data collection was extensive, however, for the purpose of this abstract, only a selection of data was analyzed – age, BMI, years played, total number of past injuries, isokinetic knee strength, 10- and 20-meter sprint, single-leg hop (SLH) distance, and FMS scores. Seated knee flexion/extension strength was collected at 120°/second using a Biodex System 4, and peak torque was normalized by body weight. The maximum distance of three SLHs was recorded for each leg and normalized to leg length. FMS scores used for analysis included the total composite and component scores, including the deep squat, hurdle step, in-line lunge, shoulder mobility, active straight-leg raise, trunk stability push-up, and rotary stability. Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Tests were used to determine side-to-side differences, and Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed to determine differences in athletic performance based on FMS scores (α<0.05).Results:A total of 38 highly-active, youth athletes (26F; 15.4±2.6 years; BMI 21.0±5.3) were tested. Participants reported playing organized sports for 8.7±3.4 years, having 2.0±1.2 past sports-related injuries, and 74% reported specializing in a single sport. No side-to-side differences were found. While the composite FMS score significantly differed by number of past injuries (p=0.036), it was not associated with athletic performance. Alternatively, left knee strength, sprint speeds, and right hop distance significantly differed by the hurdle step component score (Table 1).Conclusion:While the composite FMS score was not an indicator of athletic performance, the hurdle step component score was associated with strength, speed, and jump performance. This individual task could be a beneficial tool for coaches and trainers when evaluating athletic ability and injury risk of athletes.Tables/Figures:

Sex Differences in Youth Elite Swimming

The timing and magnitude of sex differences in athletic performance during early human development, prior to adulthood, is unknown.ObjectiveTo compare swimming velocity of boys and girls for all Olympic‐length freestyle swimming events to determine the age of divergence in swimming performance.MethodsWe collected the all‐time top 100 U.S. freestyle swimming performance times of boys and girls age 5 to 18 years for the 50m to 1500m events.ResultsSwimming performance improved with increasing age for boys and girls (p&lt;0.001) until reaching a plateau, which initiated at a younger age for girls (15 years) than boys (17 years; sex×age; p&lt;0.001). Prior to age 10, the top 5 swimming records for girls were 3% faster than the top boys (p&lt;0.001). For the 10th–50th places, however, there were no sex‐related differences in swimming performance prior to age 10 (p=0.227). For both the top 5 and 10th–50th places, the sex difference in performance increased from age 10 (top 5, 2.5%; 10th–50th places, 1.0%) until age 17 (top 5, 7.6%; 10th–50th places, 8.0%). For all places, the sex difference in performance at age 18 was larger for sprint events (9.6%; 50–200m) than endurance events (7.1%; 400–1500m; p&lt;0.001). Additionally, the sex‐related difference in performance increased across age and US ranking from 2.4% for 1st place to 4.3% for 100th place (p&lt;0.001), indicating less depth of performance in girls than boys. However, annual participation was ~20% higher in girls than boys for all ages (p&lt;0.001).ConclusionThe top 5 girls demonstrated faster swimming velocities and the 10th–50th place girls demonstrated similar swimming velocities than boys (until ~10 years). After age 10, however, boys demonstrated increasingly faster swimming velocities than girls until 17 years. Collectively, these data suggest girls are faster, or at least not slower, than boys prior to the performance‐enhancing effects of puberty.Support or Funding InformationThis study was supported by the National Institutes of Health R‐35‐HL139854‐02 (MJJ), HL139854‐02S1 (AJC), 5T32DK007352‐40 (JWS), and the Mayo Foundation.Elite swimming performance.Mean swimming velocity from 5 to 18 years of the top 100 fastest US boys (blue circles) and girls (red triangles) for the 50, 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1500m freestyle swimming distances.Figure 1Sex differences in performance of the top 5 places.The primary plot (heat map) displays the sex differences in swimming velocity (% boy’s swimming velocity) of the top 5 US rankings in each freestyle event distance and age, negative values (red) indicate faster performance of girls. The top displays the mean sex difference across age, and the right plot displays the mean sex difference across swimming event distance.Figure 2

Sex differences in youth elite swimming.

BackgroundThe timing and magnitude of sex differences in athletic performance during early human development, prior to adulthood, is unknown.ObjectiveTo compare swimming velocity of boys and girls for all Olympic-length freestyle swimming events to determine the age of divergence in swimming performance.MethodsWe collected the all-time top 100 U.S. freestyle swimming performance times of boys and girls age 5 to 18 years for the 50m to 1500m events.ResultsSwimming performance improved with increasing age for boys and girls (p<0.001) until reaching a plateau, which initiated at a younger age for girls (15 years) than boys (17 years; sex×age; p<0.001). Prior to age 10, the top 5 swimming records for girls were 3% faster than the top boys (p<0.001). For the 10th-50th places, however, there were no sex-related differences in swimming performance prior to age 10 (p = 0.227). For both the top 5 and 10th-50th places, the sex difference in performance increased from age 10 (top 5, 2.5%; 10th-50th places, 1.0%) until age 17 (top 5, 7.6%; 10th-50th places, 8.0%). For all places, the sex difference in performance at age 18 was larger for sprint events (9.6%; 50-200m) than endurance events (7.1%; 400-1500m; p<0.001). Additionally, the sex-related difference in performance increased across age and US ranking from 2.4% for 1st place to 4.3% for 100th place (p<0.001), indicating less depth of performance in girls than boys. However, annual participation was ~20% higher in girls than boys for all ages (p<0.001).ConclusionThe top 5 girls demonstrated faster swimming velocities and the 10th-50th place girls demonstrated similar swimming velocities than boys (until ~10 years). After age 10, however, boys demonstrated increasingly faster swimming velocities than girls until 17 years. Collectively, these data suggest girls are faster, or at least not slower, than boys prior to the performance-enhancing effects of puberty.

Taking Action or Thinking About It? State Orientation and Rumination Are Correlated in Athletes.

Athletic performance in competitive sports relies heavily on the ability to cope effectively with stressful situations. In contrast, some athletes report that their thoughts revolve around the future or past and not around the actual demands during competitions. In those specific stressful situations, the lack of focus like an unintended fixation on repetitive cognitions can have fatal consequences with regard to the performance. Especially when competitors are close in their athletic capabilities, differences in effectively coping with stress and mental stability may decide about winning and losing. One established factor of performing effectively under pressure is the individual tendency to either focus on taking action (i.e., action orientation) or on focusing on the own emotions (i.e., state orientation). It is widely acknowledged that state-oriented athletes have disadvantages in performing under stress. Moreover, the action control theory claims that state orientation is related to ruminative cognitions, which itself is assumed to impair performance in the long term. We tested this hypothesis in 157 competitive athletes from different sports (including individual and team sports). Regression analysis demonstrates a substantial correlation of failure-related action orientation (i.e., state orientation) with different measures of rumination (including general, clinically relevant, and competition-related rumination). In addition, general (i.e., content independent) rumination also correlated substantially with a rumination scale adapted specifically to sports-related competition. These results suggest (1) that a sports and competition-related ruminative mechanism exists and (2) that ruminative cognitions are related to the cognitive basis of state orientation. While our study does not allow for a causal interpretation, it provides an additional approach to investigate mental factors underlying inter-individual differences in athletic performance under stress and pressure.

Circulating Testosterone as the Hormonal Basis of Sex Differences in Athletic Performance.

Elite athletic competitions have separate male and female events due to men’s physical advantages in strength, speed, and endurance so that a protected female category with objective entry criteria is required. Prior to puberty, there is no sex difference in circulating testosterone concentrations or athletic performance, but from puberty onward a clear sex difference in athletic performance emerges as circulating testosterone concentrations rise in men because testes produce 30 times more testosterone than before puberty with circulating testosterone exceeding 15-fold that of women at any age. There is a wide sex difference in circulating testosterone concentrations and a reproducible dose-response relationship between circulating testosterone and muscle mass and strength as well as circulating hemoglobin in both men and women. These dichotomies largely account for the sex differences in muscle mass and strength and circulating hemoglobin levels that result in at least an 8% to 12% ergogenic advantage in men. Suppression of elevated circulating testosterone of hyperandrogenic athletes results in negative effects on performance, which are reversed when suppression ceases. Based on the nonoverlapping, bimodal distribution of circulating testosterone concentration (measured by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry)—and making an allowance for women with mild hyperandrogenism, notably women with polycystic ovary syndrome (who are overrepresented in elite athletics)—the appropriate eligibility criterion for female athletic events should be a circulating testosterone of <5.0 nmol/L. This would include all women other than those with untreated hyperandrogenic disorders of sexual development and noncompliant male-to-female transgender as well as testosterone-treated female-to-male transgender or androgen dopers.

Differences in Athletic Performance Between Sportsmen With Symptomatic Femoroacetabular Impingement and Healthy Controls.

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a commonly recognized condition in athletes characterized by activity-related hip pain and stiffness, which if left untreated can progress to hip osteoarthritis. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of symptomatic FAI on performance in young athletes based on the hypothesis that athletes with FAI would show deficits in performance compared with healthy controls. The functional performance of a cohort of preoperative, competitive sportsmen with symptomatic FAI (FAI group, n = 54), was compared with that of a group of age, sex and activity-level matched controls (n = 66). Participants performed functional tests including a 10-m sprint, a modified agility T-test, a maximal deep squat test and a single-leg drop jump (reactive strength index). Hip range of motion was assessed by measuring maximal hip flexion, abduction, and internal rotation (at 90 degree hip flexion). The FAI group was significantly slower during the 10-m sprint (3%, P = 0.002) and agility T-test (8%, P < 0.001); flexion, abduction, and internal rotation values for the FAI group were reduced compared with controls (P < 0.001). No significant differences between groups were identified for squat depth or reactive strength index. The FAI group also reported higher levels of anterior groin pain during the 10-m sprint, modified agility T-test, and while squatting. Many sportsmen with confirmed FAI continue sports participation up to and after diagnosis, despite issues with activity-related pain and stiffness. This study highlights the functional limitations in speed, agility, and flexibility that are likely to be present in this group of FAI patients.

Girls in the boat: Sex differences in rowing performance and participation.

Men outperform women in many athletic endeavors due to physiological and anatomical differences (e.g. larger and faster muscle); however, the observed sex differences in elite athletic performance are typically larger than expected, and may reflect sex-related differences in opportunity or incentives. As collegiate rowing in the United States has been largely incentivized for women over the last 20 years, but not men, the purpose of this study was to examine sex differences in elite rowing performance over that timeframe. Finishing times from grand finale races for collegiate championship on-water performances (n = 480) and junior indoor performances (n = 1,280) were compared between men and women across 20 years (1997–2016), weight classes (heavy vs. lightweight) and finishing place. Participation of the numbers of men and women rowers were also quantified across years. Men were faster than women across all finishing places, weight classes and years of competition and performance declined across finishing place for both men and women (P<0.001). Interestingly, the reduction in performance time across finishing place was greater (P<0.001) for collegiate men compared to women in the heavyweight division. This result is opposite to other sports (e.g. running and swimming), and to lightweight rowing in this study, which provides women fewer incentives than in heavyweight rowing. Correspondingly, participation in collegiate rowing has increased by ~113 women per year (P<0.001), with no change (P = 0.899) for collegiate men. These results indicate that increased participation and incentives within collegiate rowing for women vs. men contribute to sex differences in athletic performance.

Segmented Forefoot Plate in Basketball Footwear: Does it Influence Performance and Foot Joint Kinematics and Kinetics?

This study examined the effects of shoes' segmented forefoot stiffness on athletic performance and ankle and metatarsophalangeal joint kinematics and kinetics in basketball movements. Seventeen university basketball players performed running vertical jumps and 5-m sprints at maximum effort with 3 basketball shoes of various forefoot plate conditions (medial plate, medial + lateral plates, and no-plate control). One-way repeated measures ANOVAs were used to examine the differences in athletic performance, joint kinematics, and joint kinetics among the 3 footwear conditions (α = .05). Results indicated that participants wearing medial + lateral plates shoes demonstrated 2.9% higher jump height than those wearing control shoes (P = .02), but there was no significant differences between medial plate and control shoes (P > .05). Medial plate shoes produced greater maximum plantar flexion velocity than the medial + lateral plates shoes (P < .05) during sprinting. There were no significant differences in sprint time. These findings implied that inserting plates spanning both the medial and lateral aspects of the forefoot could enhance jumping, but not sprinting performances. The use of a medial plate alone, although induced greater plantar flexion velocity at the metatarsophalangeal joint during sprinting, was not effective in improving jump heights or sprint times.

Sex differences in athletic performance emerge coinciding with the onset of male puberty

Male performance in athletic events begins to exceed that of age-matched females during early adolescence, but the timing of this divergence relative to the onset of male puberty and the rise in circulating testosterone remains poorly defined. This study is a secondary quantitative analysis of four published sources which aimed to define the timing of the gender divergence in athletic performance and relating it to the rise in circulating testosterone due to male puberty. Four data sources reflecting elite swimming and running and jumping track and field events as well as hand-grip strength in nonathletes were analysed to define the age-specific gender differences through adolescence and their relationship to the rising circulating testosterone during male puberty. The onset and tempo of gender divergence were very similar for swimming, running and jumping events as well as the hand-grip strength in nonathletes, and all closely paralleled the rise in circulating testosterone in adolescent boys. The gender divergence in athletic performance begins at the age of 12-13years and reaches adult plateau in the late teenage years with the timing and tempo closely parallel to the rise in circulating testosterone in boys during puberty.

Differences In Athletic Performance Between Sportsmen With Symptomatic Femoroacetabular Impingement And Healthy Controls

Differences In Athletic Performance Between Sportsmen With Symptomatic Femoroacetabular Impingement And Healthy Controls

Core Concepts in Human Genetics: Understanding the Complex Phenotype of Sport Performance and Susceptibility to Sport Injury.

High-throughput sequencing of multiple human exomes and genomes is rapidly identifying rare genetic variants that cause or contribute to disease. Microarray-based methodologies have also shed light onto the genes that contribute to common, non-disease human traits such as hair and eye colour. Sport scientists should keep in mind several things when interpreting the literature, and when designing their own genetic studies. First of all, most genetic association methods are more powerful for detecting disease phenotypes (such as susceptibility to injury) than they are for detecting healthy phenotypes (such as sport performance). This is because there are likely to be many more biological factors contributing to the latter, and the effect size of most of these biological factors is likely to be small. Second, implicating a particular gene in a human phenotype like athletic performance or injury susceptibility requires an unbiased population data set. Third, new types of non-coding biological variability continue to be uncovered in the human genome (e.g. epigenetic modifications, microRNAs, etc.). These other types of variability may contribute significantly to differences in athletic performance.

Acute Physiological and Thermoregulatory Responses to Extended Interval Training in Endurance Runners: Influence of Athletic Performance and Age.

This study aimed to describe the acute impact of extended interval training (EIT) on physiological and thermoregulatory levels, as well as to determine the influence of athletic performance and age effect on the aforementioned response in endurance runners. Thirty-one experienced recreational male endurance runners voluntarily participated in this study. Subjects performed EIT on an outdoor running track, which consisted of 12 runs of 400 m. The rate of perceived exertion, physiological response through the peak and recovery heart rate, blood lactate, and thermoregulatory response through tympanic temperature, were controlled. A repeated measures analysis revealed significant differences throughout EIT in examined variables. Cluster analysis grouped according to the average performance in 400 m runs led to distinguish between athletes with a higher and lower sports level. Cluster analysis was also performed according to age, obtaining an older group and a younger group. The one-way analysis of variance between groups revealed no significant differences (p≥0.05) in the response to EIT. The results provide a detailed description of physiological and thermoregulatory responses to EIT in experienced endurance runners. This allows a better understanding of the impact of a common training stimulus on the physiological level inducing greater accuracy in the training prescription. Moreover, despite the differences in athletic performance or age, the acute physiological and thermoregulatory responses in endurance runners were similar, as long as EIT was performed at similar relative intensity.

Time to re-evaluate gender segregation in athletics?

The case of Caster Semenya provides a vivid illustration of the ways in which natural genetic variation can generate large differences in athletic performance. But since we normally segregate athletic...