Physiological differences in performance - matched male and female athletes.

Compiled by: David P. Speech/y in fulfilment of an MSc(MED) degree Department of Physiology University of the Witwatersrand Medical School Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA.Our study comprised of a two fold investigation into i. the comparing of physiological function in a performance-matched (running 42.2km) group of females (n=10) and males (n=10), and ii. the analysis of the performance changes over four different distances. The female group ran an average of 3:36 ± 0:42 hours, and the male group an average of 3:39 ± 0:47 hours for a standard marathon. After matching the two groups we measured physical characteristics, maximal aerobic capacity (V02max), fitness level (lactate accumulation), energy cost of running (running economy), and muscle function (isokinetic dynamometry). The female group had a significantly lower (P<0.05) relative V02max (48.3 ± 2.8mlQ2• min'1 • kg"1 vs 51.3 ± 3.3ml02*min'1-kg'1) , lower absolute peak muscle torque for quadriceps at all angular velocities investigated (60-; 180-; and 240°-sec'1), but only at 240° • sec'1 for the hamstrings (29.0 ± 15.1Nm vs 46.6 ± 15.3Nm). However, females had lower (P<0.05) relative peak torques (expressed relative to the lean thigh volume) than males only for the quadriceps group of muscles at 180°-sec'1 (12.19 ± 4.75Nm-2'1 vs 18.87 ± 7.01Nm*l"1) The females had a greater (P