Women and men gain muscle at about the same rate relative to how much muscle they started with, but women end up gaining less total muscle because they usually start with less muscle to begin with.
Claim Language
Language Strength
probability
Uses probability language (may, likely, can)
The claim uses 'achieve' and 'exhibit', which suggest observed outcomes rather than definitive causation. The phrase 'approximately 70%' introduces estimation, indicating likelihood rather than certainty, placing it in the probability category.
Context Details
Domain
exercise_science
Population
human
Subject
Females
Action
achieve
Target
similar relative rates of muscle hypertrophy compared to males
Intervention Details
Gold Standard Evidence Needed
According to GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this specific claim, ordered from strongest to weakest evidence.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (3)
The study found that both men and women gain muscle at similar rates when they lift weights, but men gain more total muscle because they start with more muscle to begin with — which matches the claim.
Sex differences in absolute and relative changes in muscle size following resistance training in healthy adults: a systematic review with Bayesian meta-analysis
Men and women both grow muscles at about the same rate when they lift weights, but men end up with more total muscle because they start with more. This study confirms that.
Sex differences in absolute and relative changes in muscle size following resistance training in healthy adults: a systematic review with Bayesian meta-analysis
Men and women both grow muscles at about the same rate when they lift weights, but men start with more muscle, so they end up with more total muscle gain — which is exactly what the claim says.