I’ve always been curious about how some (most in my experience) women who are considered at peak fitness levels are still weaker than men who are in average shape. It’s been described as “body chemistry” but I’ve never truly understood why. There are absolutely some exceptions, but even when looking at fitness charts, men are expected to be stronger than women in every category. Why?
In: Biology
Human sexual dimorphism. Men are built different, usually much larger. More, larger muscle [fibers](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8477683/) and a larger [cross section](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF00235103) of muscle fibers. As well as differences in hormones. Height and weight differences can only explain about [half](https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/jappl.2000.89.1.81) of the differences in strength between males and females. Essentially men evolved to be violent and strong, women evolved to have babies. (I’m not making a moral or social issue case here, simply pointing out what biology says). Men are not only usually larger but they employ their muscles in a more efficient manner (at least for speed and strength, women win the endurance game generally).
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