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The ontogeny of sex differences in exercise performance
David J Handelsman1, Grant R Tomkinson2
1Andrology Department, Concord Hospital, ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2139, Australia.
Journal of the Endocrine Society
|March 19, 2026
Summary
Puberty significantly amplifies sex differences in athletic performance, primarily due to hormonal changes. However, some prepubertal exercise advantages in girls suggest early biological influences, not just social factors.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Sports Science
Background:
- Adult athletic performance disparities are linked to pubertal testosterone surges, enhancing male muscle, bone, and cardiorespiratory functions.
- Prepubertal boys often outperform girls in athletic records despite similar testosterone levels, raising questions about early sex differences in exercise.
- The relative impact of prepubertal versus pubertal factors on sex differences in physical performance requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify and compare the magnitude of sex differences in exercise performance during prepuberty and puberty.
- To analyze a large dataset of Australian schoolchildren's physical performance across a developmental spectrum.
- To explore the potential biological and sociological origins of prepubertal exercise performance differences.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of exercise performance data from 85,347 healthy Australian schoolchildren aged 9–17 years (1985–2009).
- Comparison of performance across nine different exercise tests to identify sex-based variations.
- Examination of the magnitude of performance changes during puberty relative to prepubertal differences.
Main Results:
- Boys outperformed girls in 8 out of 9 tested exercises.
- Girls demonstrated superior performance in one stretching exercise, indicating a prepubertal female advantage.
- The magnitude of sex differences in exercise performance increased substantially during puberty compared to prepubertal levels.
Conclusions:
- Pubertal development is the primary driver of significant sex differences in exercise performance.
- The prepubertal advantage in specific exercises for girls suggests innate biological factors, potentially androgen imprinting, rather than solely sociological influences.
- These findings underscore the complex interplay of biological and environmental factors shaping sex-based athletic capabilities from childhood through adolescence.
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