title: Comparison of upper body strength gains between men and women after 10 weeks of resistance training.
abstract: 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 < 0.01). Both males and females significantly increased elbow flexor strength (p < 0.05); however, strength changes did not differ between genders after 10 weeks of RT program (11.61 and 11.76% for men and women, respectively; 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.
authors.affiliation: College of Physical Education and Dance, University of Goias , Goiania , Brazil.
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gentil
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health, Exercise and Sport Science, Southampton Solent University , Southampton , United Kingdom.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Steele
authors.affiliation: College of Physical Education and Dance, University of Goias, Goiania, Brazil; College of Physical Education, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.affiliation: College of Physical Education, University of Brasilia , Brasilia , Brazil.
authors.forename: Rafael P M
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Castanheira
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova , Padova , Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Paoli
authors.affiliation: College of Physical Education, University of Brasilia , Brasilia , Brazil.
authors.forename: Martim
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bottaro
keywords: Biceps; Elbow flexion; Genders; Muscle strength; Peak torque; Strength training