Gender Difference in Fatigue Index and its Related Physiology

Fatigue index exhibits gender difference. This study was carried out to compare fatigue index of young, national level male and female field hockey players; and to explore physiological variables contributing to this difference. We measured running-based anaerobic sprint fatigue index and selected physiological parameters in male and female players matched for age, duration of training, diet, habitual physical activity, body weight and BMI. The male hockey players showed lower resistance to repeated sprints fatigue than the female players. Body weight, BMI and power variables positively correlated to fatigue index in both sexes; while lean body mass and age in males only, and body fat % in females only were found to be correlated to fatigue index. Difference in lean body mass, body fat %, strength and anaerobic power might be responsible for gender difference in intermittent & repeated sprints fatigue index observed in studied players.