The Claim
Sex accounts for 54% of the variance in absolute trunk extension torque and 2.8% of the variance in torque normalized to upper body weight, indicating that sex is a major determinant of absolute strength but not of relative strength.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
Sex differences explain 54% of how much force people can generate in trunk extension when measured in absolute terms, but only 2.8% of the force generated relative to upper body weight, meaning sex strongly affects total strength but not strength adjusted for body size.
See the scientific wording
Sex explains 54% of the variance in absolute trunk extension torque but only 2.8% of the variance in torque normalized to upper body weight, indicating that sex is a major determinant of absolute strength but not of relative strength.
Men have larger back muscles with more muscle fibers and thicker muscle bundles, which generate more force when contracting. When you compare strength relative to body weight, the extra muscle mass in men is balanced by their heavier upper bodies, so strength per pound of weight is the same in men and women.
What the research says
1 studyMen are stronger than women in absolute terms, but when you adjust for how much their upper bodies weigh, both men and women have about the same strength per pound of body weight.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.