PeerJ (Feb 2016)

Comparison of upper body strength gains between men and women after 10 weeks of resistance training

  • Paulo Gentil,
  • James Steele,
  • Maria C. Pereira,
  • Rafael P.M. Castanheira,
  • Antonio Paoli,
  • Martim Bottaro

DOI
https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.1627
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 4
p. e1627

Abstract

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Resistance training (RT) offers benefits to both men and women. However, the studies about the differences between men and women in response to an RT program are not conclusive and few data are available about upper body strength response. The aim of this study was to compare elbow flexor strength gains in men and women after 10 weeks of RT. Forty-four college-aged men (22.63 ± 2.34 years) and forty-seven college-aged women (21.62 ± 2.96 years) participated in the study. The RT program was performed two days a week for 10 weeks. Before and after the training period, peak torque (PT) of the elbow flexors was measured with an isokinetic dynamometer. PT values were higher in men in comparison to women in pre- and post-tests (p 0.05). Effect sizes were 0.57 and 0.56 for men and women, respectively. In conclusion, the present study suggests that men and women have a similar upper body strength response to RT.

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