Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Running Performance Differences between Men and Women

An Update

  • Current Opinion
  • Published:
Sports Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

More than a decade ago it was reported in the journal Natures that the slope of improvement in the men’s and women’s running records, extrapolated from mean running velocity plotted against historical time, would eventually result in a performance intersection of the sexes across a variety of running distances. The first of these intersections was to occur for 42 000m before the 21st century. Most of the error in this prediction is probably explained by the linear mathematical treatment and extrapolation of limited performance data, since including world record-setting running performances for women before and after 1985 results in a non-linear data fit. The reality of early, disproportionate improvements in women’s running that gave the appearance of an impending convergence with men is best explained by an historical social sports bias. Women’s times have now reached a plateau similar to that observed for men at comparative performance milestones in the marathon. Sex differences at distances from 100 to 10 000m show similar trends. The remaining sex gaps in performance appear biological in origin. Success in distance running and sprinting is determined largely by aerobic capacity and muscular strength, respectively. Because men possess a larger aerobic capacity and greater muscular strength, the gap in running performances between men and women is unlikely to narrow naturally.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Table I
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Table II
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Cheuvront SN, Moffatt RJ, DeRuisseau K. Body composition and gender differences in performance. In: Driskell JA, Wolinsky I, editors. Nutritional assessment of athletes. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press, 2002: 177–200

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  2. Kuscsik N. The history of women’s participation in the marathon. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1977; 301: 862–876

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Hymans R. Progression of world best performances and IAAF official world records. 5th ed. Monaco (FR): International Association of Athletics Federations, 2003

    Google Scholar 

  4. International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) statistics [online]. Available from URL: http://www.iaaf.org/statistics/index.html [Accessed 2004 May]

  5. Cheuvront SN, Haymes EM. Thermoregulation and marathon running: biological and environmental influences. Sports Med 2001; 31 (10): 743–762

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Whipp BJ, Ward SA. Will women soon outrun men? [letter]. Nature 1992; 355 (6355): 25

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Tatem AJ, Guerra CA, Atkinson PM, et al. Momentous sprint at the 2156 Olympics? Nature 2004; 431: 525

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Ryder HW, Carr HJ, Herget P. Future performance in footracing. Sci Am 1976; 234: 108–119

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Noakes TD. Lore of running. 4th ed. Champaign (IL): Leisure Press, 2003

  10. Sparling PB, O’Donnell EM, Snow TK. The gender difference in distance running performance has plateaued: an analysis of world rankings from 1980 to 1996. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1998; 30 (12): 1725–1729

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Bam J, Noakes TD, Juritz J, et al. Could women outrun men in ultramarathon races? Med Sci Sports Exerc 1997; 29 (2): 244–247

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Coast JR, Blevins JS, Wilson BA. Do gender differences in running performance disappear with distance? Can J Appl Physiol 2004; 29 (2): 139–145

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Speechly DP, Taylor SR, Rogers GG. Differences in ultra-endurance exercise in performance-matched male and female runners. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1996; 28 (3): 359–365

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Holden C. An everlasting gender gap? Science 2004; 305 (5684): 639–640

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Sparling PB, Nieman DC, O’Connor PJ. Selected scientific aspects of marathon racing: an update on fluid replacement, immune function, psychological factors and the gender difference. Sports Med 1993; 15 (2): 116–132

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Peronnet F, Thibault G. Mathematical analysis of running performance and world running records. J Appl Physiol 1989; 67 (1): 453–465

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Nevill AM, Whyte G. Are there limits to running world records? Med Sci Spots Exerc 2005; 37: 1785–1788

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Drinkwater BL. Women and exercise: physiological aspects. Exerc Sport Sci Rev 1984; 12: 21–51

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Sparling PB. A meta-analysis of studies comparing maximal oxygen uptake in men and women. Res Q Exerc Sport 1980; 51 (3): 542–552

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Sparling PB, Cureton KJ. Biological determinants of the sex difference in 12-min run performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1983; 15 (3): 218–223

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Pate RR, Branch JD. Training for endurance sport. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1992; 24 (9 Suppl.): S340–S343

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Joyner MJ. Physiological limiting factors and distance running: influence of gender and age on record performances. Exerc Sport Sci Rev 1993; 21: 103–133

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Cureton K, Bishop P, Hutchinson P, et al. Sex difference in maximal oxygen uptake: effect of equating haemoglobin concentration. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 1986; 54 (6): 656–660

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Ruby BC, Robergs RA. Gender differences in substrate utilisation during exercise. Sports Med 1994; 17 (6): 393–410

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Dennis SC, Noakes TD. Advantages of a smaller bodymass in humans when distance-running in warm, humid conditions. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 1999; 79 (3): 280–284

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Dotan R, Rotstein A, Dlin R, et al. Relationship of marathon running to physiological, anthropometric and training indices. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 1983; 51: 281–293

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Wells CL, Hecht LH, Krahenbuhl GS. Physical characteristics and oxygen utilization of male and female marathon runners. Res Q Exerc Sport 1981; 52 (2): 281–285

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Davies CT, Thompson MW. Aerobic performance of female marathon and male ultramarathon athletes. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 1979; 41 (4): 233–245

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Maughan RJ, Leiper JB. Aerobic capacity and fractional utilisation of aerobic capacity in elite and non-elite male and female marathon runners. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 1983; 52 (1): 80–87

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Weyand PG, Sternlight DB, Bellizzi MJ, et al. Faster top running speeds are achieved with greater ground forces not more rapid leg movements. J Appl Physiol 2000; 89 (5): 1991–1999

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Cavagna GA, Kaneko M. Mechanical work and efficiency in level walking and running. J Physiol 1977; 268 (2): 467–481

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Armstrong LE, Cooksey SM. Biomechanical changes in selected collegiate sprinters due to increased velocity. Track Field Q Rev 1983; 3: 10–12

    Google Scholar 

  33. Prince FP, Hikida RS, Hagerman FC. Human muscle fiber types in power lifters, distance runners and untrained subjects. Pflugers Arch 1976; 363 (1): 19–26

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Costill DL, Daniels J, Evans W, et al. Skeletal muscle enzymes and fiber composition in male and female track athletes. J Appl Physiol 1976; 40 (2): 149–154

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Alway SE, Grumbt WH, Gonyea WJ, et al. Contrasts in muscle and myofibers of elite male and female bodybuilders. J Appl Physiol 1989; 67 (1): 24–31

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Sale DG, MacDougall JD, Alway SE, et al. Voluntary strength and muscle characteristics in untrained men and women and male bodybuilders. J Appl Physiol 1987; 62 (5): 1786–1793

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Schantz P, Randall-Fox E, Hutchison W, et al. Muscle fibre type distribution, muscle cross-sectional area and maximal voluntary strength in humans. Acta Physiol Scand 1983; 117 (2): 219–226

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Miller AE, MacDougall JD, Tarnopolsky MA, et al. Gender differences in strength and muscle fiber characteristics. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 1993; 66 (3): 254–262

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Abe T, Brechue WF, Fujita S, et al. Gender differences in FFM accumulation and architectural characteristics of muscle. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1998; 30 (7): 1066–1070

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Abe T, Fukashiro S, Harada Y, et al. Relationship between sprint performance and muscle fascicle length in female sprinters. J Physiol Anthropol Appl Human Sci 2001; 20 (2): 141–147

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Tesch P, Karlsson J. Isometric strength performance and muscle fibre type distribution in man. Acta Physiol Scand 1978; 103 (1): 47–51

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Alexander MJ. The relationship between muscle strength and sprint kinematics in elite sprinters. Can J Sport Sci 1989; 14 (3): 148–157

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Komi PV, Karlsson J. Skeletal muscle fibre types, enzyme activities and physical performance in young males and females. Acta Physiol Scand 1978; 103 (2): 210–218

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Ford LE, Detterline AJ, Ho KK, et al. Gender- and height-related limits of muscle strength in world weightlifting champions. J Appl Physiol 2000; 89 (3): 1061–1064

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Wilmore J, Costill DL. Growth, development, and the young athlete. In: Physiology of sport and exercise. 2nd ed. Champaign (IL): Human Kinetics, 1999: 516–535

    Google Scholar 

  46. Herbst KL, Bhasin S. Testosterone action on skeletal muscle. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 2004; 7 (3): 271–277

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Willoughby DS, Taylor L. Effects of sequential bouts of resistance exercise on androgen receptor expression. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2004; 36 (9): 1499–1506

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Gooren LJ, Bunck MC. Transsexuals and competitive sports. Eur J Endocrinol 2004; 151 (4): 425–429

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Bahrke MS, Yesalis CE. Abuse of anabolic androgenic steroids and related substances in sport and exercise. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2004; 4 (6): 614–620

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. IOC approves consensus with regard to athletes who have changed sex [online]. Available from URL: http://www.olympic.org/uk/includes/common/article_print_uk.asp?.id=841 [Accessed 2004 May]

  51. Fee E, Brown TM, Laylor J. One size does not fit all in the transgender community. Am J Public Health 2003; 93 (6): 899–900

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Bryant Stamford, PhD, University of Louisville, Lynn Panton, PhD, Florida State University, and Krista Austin, PhD, Florida State University, for reading and remarking on this manuscript. The views, opinions and/or findings contained in this report are those of the authors and should not be construed as an official Department of the Army position, or decision, unless so designated by other official documentation. Approved for public release; distribution unlimited.

No sources of funding were used to assist in the preparation of this review. The authors have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this review.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts, 01760-5007, USA

    Samuel N. Cheuvront & Robert Carter III

  2. University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA

    Keith C. DeRuisseau

  3. Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA

    Robert J. Moffatt

Authors
  1. Samuel N. Cheuvront
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Robert Carter III
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Keith C. DeRuisseau
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Robert J. Moffatt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Samuel N. Cheuvront.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Cheuvront, S.N., Carter, R., DeRuisseau, K.C. et al. Running Performance Differences between Men and Women. Sports Med 35, 1017–1024 (2005). https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200535120-00002

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200535120-00002

Keywords

Search

Navigation