Why some women get stronger faster from lifting weights
Hyperandrogenism Enhances Muscle Strength After Progressive Resistance Training, Independent of Body Composition, in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Hyperandrogenism (high testosterone) was linked to greater strength gains independent of body composition changes.
Common belief: strength gains = more muscle or less fat. This study says: even without those changes, higher testosterone alone boosted strength.
Practical Takeaways
Women with PCOS should consider progressive resistance training 3x/week to improve strength and lower testosterone levels—even without focusing on weight loss.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Hyperandrogenism (high testosterone) was linked to greater strength gains independent of body composition changes.
Common belief: strength gains = more muscle or less fat. This study says: even without those changes, higher testosterone alone boosted strength.
Practical Takeaways
Women with PCOS should consider progressive resistance training 3x/week to improve strength and lower testosterone levels—even without focusing on weight loss.
Publication
Journal
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
Year
2018
Authors
G. Kogure, R. Silva, C. L. Miranda-Furtado, V. Ribeiro, D. C. Pedroso, A. Melo, R. Ferriani, R. Reis
Related Content
Claims (4)
When you lift weights or push against resistance, your muscles get stronger and bigger because they're trying to handle the stress—this is exactly why people do strength training.
If women—whether or not they have PCOS—do strength training for four months, they tend to lose body fat and have lower testosterone levels.
Women with PCOS who have higher levels of male-type hormones tend to get stronger faster when they do weight training for 4 months—even if their body fat or muscle size doesn’t change much.
If women with or without PCOS do a 4-month strength training program, they’ll both get stronger—like being able to lift heavier weights on the bench press and leg machine.