A physiological comparison of female body builders and power lifters

Ten female body builders (FBB) (X age +/- SD = 30.40 +/- 8.22 years) and ten female power lifters (FPL) (X age +/- SD = 25.20 +/- 6.01 years) were studied to determine group differences in body composition, strength and anaerobic characteristics. All subjects had been training a minimum of two years and twelve of the subjects had competed nationally while the remainder had participated in regional or local events. Measures of body build and body composition were obtained via hydrostatic weighing, skinfolds (sum of 7), circumferences (sum of 13) and diameters (sum of 9). Flexion and extension strength of the dominant forearm and leg were measured with a Cybex II dynamometer at 60 degrees/second. Anaerobic power and capacity were determined using the Wingate Anaerobic Test. Independent t-tests indicated the FPL had significantly greater body weight (X +/- SD = 68.60 +/- 3.60 vs 56.47 +/- 0.85 kg), relative fat (21.47 +/- 1.29 vs 13.51 +/- 1.46%), sum of skinfolds (120.76 +/- 7.55 vs 71.46 +/- 7.02 mm), sum of diameters (177.57 +/- 2.97 vs 168.17 +/- 2.55 cm), and sum of circumferences (594.93 +/- 13.10 vs 551.24 +/- 3.17). No significant differences were found for fat-free weight, strength or anaerobic power and capacity. These results demonstrate subtle but specific differences between well-trained FBB and FPL reflecting the leaner physiques and smaller skeletal structures of the FBB necessary for the definition and symmetry demanded by the sport. The lack of differences in strength and anaerobic characteristics reflect the similarity of the groups in basic training techniques.