37th Annual Student Research Conference
Comparisons of Upper-Body Strength Gains from Resistance Training in College Men and Women of High and Low Fat-Free Mass Index
Livia J. Bloomer* and Alyssa S. Gipe
Prof. Liz Jorn and Dr. Jerry Mayhew, Faculty Mentors
Questions persist concerning the degree of strength gain between men of differing initial strength levels and muscle masses. The purpose of this study was to compare strength gains in one-repetition maximum (1RM) bench press (BP) in men and women of different initial strength and fat-free mass index (FFMI) levels. Low-strength and high-strength FFMI groups for men and women were derived from a larger group measured for 1RM BP relative to fat-free mass index (FFMI) prior to and following 12 weeks of resistance training. Following training, there was significantly greater (p<0.001) strength gain in men than in women but not a significant difference between high and low FFMI groups (p=0.09). The interaction of sex x FFMI group was not significant (p=0.21). These results suggest men gain more strength than women in absolute terms but when considered relative to FFMI there is no significant difference in strength gain between the sexes.
Keywords: sex difference, bench press
Topic(s):Exercise Science
Presentation Type: Poster Presentation
Session: 2-5
Location: SUB Activities Room
Time: 3:45