Strength comparisons in untrained men and trained women athletes

The purpose was to compare untrained college men with trained collegiate women basketball and volleyball players in terms of absolute and relative upper and lower body strength. Absolute and relative strength comparisons were also made between the two groups of women athletes. Eighty subjects were included in each group. Relative strength was expressed per unit of weight, height, biacromium, and biiliac widths. It was hypothesized that while men are significantly stronger than trained women athletes, such differences may be removed once body size characteristics are controlled. MANOVA and MANCOVA were utilized to test hypotheses. Results indicate that untrained men have greater upper and lower body strength than trained women athletes in terms of both absolute and relative strength. Women basketball players have greater upper and lower body strength than women volley players. The two groups of women athletes are alike in terms of upper body absolute and relative strength.