Sex Differences in Athletic Performance: Perspectives on Transgender Athletes

Natalie J Nokoff; Jonathon Senefeld; Csilla Krausz; Sandra Hunter; Michael Joyner

doi:10.1249/JES.0000000000000317

Sex Differences in Athletic Performance: Perspectives on Transgender Athletes

Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 2023 Jul 1;51(3):85-95. doi: 10.1249/JES.0000000000000317. Epub 2023 Apr 14.

Authors

Natalie J Nokoff¹, Jonathon Senefeld², Csilla Krausz³, Sandra Hunter⁴, Michael Joyner²

Affiliations

¹ Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO.
² Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine and Department of Physiology & Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
³ Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio," University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
⁴ Exercise Science Program, Department of Physical Therapy, and Athletic & Human Performance Research Center, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI.

PMID: 37057897
PMCID: PMC10330580 (available on 2024-07-01)
DOI: 10.1249/JES.0000000000000317

Abstract

Sex hormone concentrations, particularly testosterone, are primary determinants of sex-based differences in athletic and sports performance, and this relationship may inform fair competition and participation for athletes. This article describes the sex-based dichotomy in testosterone and the implications for sex-based differences in individual sports performance, including factors that relate to athletic performance for transgender individuals, and areas of future investigation.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

Athletes
Athletic Performance*
Female
Humans
Male
Sex Characteristics
Testosterone
Transgender Persons*

Substances

Testosterone

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances

Grants and funding