The Claim

Trans women undergoing hormone replacement therapy do not exhibit significant differences in athletic performance when compared to cisgender women.

What the research says

Roughly balanced

Support and challenge are close. The picture may shift as more studies come in.

Supports
44score
Challenges
49score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

Description
4 studies reviewed
In plain English

Trans women on hormone therapy perform just as well—or just as poorly—as cis women in sports, with no real difference between them.

See the scientific wording

Trans women undergoing hormone replacement therapy exhibit no significant differences in athletic performance compared to cis women.

What the research says

4 studies

  1. Study: Cardiopulmonary capacity and muscle strength in transgender women on long-term gender-affirming hormone therapy: a cross-sectional study

    After years of hormone therapy, trans women’s heart and muscle performance are similar to cis women’s when body size is taken into account.

  2. Study: The Impact of Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy on Physical Performance

    The study shows that after a couple of years on hormone therapy, trans women's physical performance becomes very similar to cis women's, with most differences disappearing.

  3. Study: Effect of gender affirming hormones on athletic performance in transwomen and transmen: implications for sporting organisations and legislators

    The study shows that after hormone therapy, trans women still run significantly faster than cis women, meaning there is still a performance difference.

  4. Study: A unique pseudo-eligibility analysis of longitudinal laboratory performance data from a transgender female competitive cyclist

    The study shows that even after a year of hormone therapy, a trans woman cyclist still had higher performance levels in key areas than the average cis woman cyclist, which means there are still differences.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 4 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

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