Men who take cross-sex hormones in an effort to appear more female still have stronger muscles and are better able to utilise oxygen than biological women, research has confirmed.
Brazilian scientist Professor Leonardo Alvares and his team found that men who had ‘transitioned’, and were on long-term hormone therapy, significantly outperformed women in strength and exercise tests.
The authors of the study concluded that their “findings add new insights to the sparse information available on a highly controversial topic” and that they “could inform policy and help in decisions about the participation of transgender women in sporting activities”.
Protection
Prof Alvares compared the results from hand grip and cardiopulmonary performance tests for fifteen transitioning men, fourteen women and thirteen men — none of whom were athletes.
Manchester Metropolitan University professor Alun Williams, an expert on human physical performance, responded: “This new evidence doesn’t support the eligibility of transwomen for the female categories of most sports”.
In 2020, an official report commissioned by World Rugby showed that biological males “are stronger by 25-50%, are 30% more powerful, 40% heavier, and about 15% faster” than women playing in the same competitive matches. On the basis of the report, World Rugby recommended that men who claim to be women should not be allowed to participate in women’s rugby at the top level.
International sporting bodies for cycling, swimming and rugby league have recently strengthened rules to protect women’s sports.
Sharron Davies: RFU inaction puts ‘female athletes in danger’
British public: ‘Keep trans athletes out of women’s sport’
International sports bodies strengthen protections for women’s sport