Hormonal Eligibility Criteria for 'Includes Females' Competition: A Practical but Problematic Solution

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Endocrinology
• Human Physiology

Background:

• International sports federations (IAAF, IOC) established testosterone thresholds for female athletic eligibility.
• Policies aim to address competitive advantages for women with high endogenous testosterone levels.
• The Court of Arbitration for Sport has reviewed and suspended certain hyperandrogenism regulations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze scientific and experiential evidence regarding testosterone eligibility criteria in sports.
• To evaluate the rationality, fairness, and necessity of androgen-based rules for female athletes.
• To determine if current policies align with the principles of competitive sports categorization.

Main Methods:

• Review of available scientific literature on testosterone and athletic performance.
• Analysis of experiential data from athletes and sports organizations.
• Legal and ethical examination of sports eligibility regulations.

Main Results:

• Androgen-based testosterone criteria are presented as a rational and practical method for determining eligibility in the female athletic category.
• The analysis suggests these criteria are defensible based on current evidence.
• The study highlights the need for policies to be demonstrably fair, necessary, and consistent with other athlete advantages.

Conclusions:

• Testosterone eligibility criteria, while debated, represent the most viable current approach for classifying female athletes.
• Sports governing bodies must ensure these policies are not only rational but also equitable and proportionate.
• Further justification is required to demonstrate the fairness and consistency of these regulations.