Women are naturally fitter than men, reveals study

  • Women process oxygen 30% more efficiently than their male counterparts
  • Quick oxygen uptake is a measure of fitness and reduces risk of muscle fatigue
  • It is unclear why women are fitter but result contradicts ‘conventional wisdom’
  • Finding could change athletic assessment and training in the future
  • Researchers from the University of Waterloo in Ontario analyzed 18 adults

Women are naturally fitter than men, new research reveals.

Females process oxygen 30 percent more efficiently than their male counterparts, a study found.

Quick oxygen uptake is a measure of fitness and associated with a reduced risk of muscle fatigue.

Study author Professor Richard Hughson from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, said: ‘We found that women’s muscles extract oxygen from the blood faster, which, scientifically speaking, indicates a superior aerobic system.’

Lead author Professor Thomas Beltrame added: ‘While we don’t know why women have faster oxygen uptake, this study shakes up conventional wisdom.’

Females process oxygen 30 percent more efficiently than their male counterparts (stock) 

EXERCISE CHANGES GUT BACTERIA IN JUST SIX WEEKS AND COULD PREVENT BOWEL CANCER 

Exercise changes gut bacteria in just six weeks, new research reveals.

Previously inactive people who exercise for at least 30 minutes a day three times a week experience increased levels of gut bacteria that produce butyrate, a study found.

Butyrate is an anti-inflammatory acid that has been linked to protection against bowel cancer, as well as weight loss and stronger immunity.

The same findings were previously found in mice, who became less likely to develop the inflammatory bowel disease ulcerative colitis if they were active.

Lead author Professor Jeffrey Woods from the University of Illinois, said: ‘These are the first studies to show that exercise can have an effect on your gut independent of diet or other factors.’

Yet, exercise’s positive impact on gut bacteria is reversed if people revert to being inactive. 

How the research was carried out 

The researchers analyzed 18 healthy, active adults, half of which were men and the remainder women.

All of the study’s participants completed four moderate-intensity treadmill tests. 

Their heart rate and oxygen tissue content were assessed, as well as the difference in oxygen levels between their veins and arteries being investigated.

‘Shakes up conventional wisdom’ 

Results reveal women process oxygen more quickly than men when exercising.

For unclear reasons, females are around 30 percent more efficient at processing oxygen than their males counterparts. 

Quick oxygen uptake is a measure of fitness and associated with a reduced risk of muscle fatigue. 

Professor Hughson said: ‘We found that women’s muscles extract oxygen from the blood faster, which, scientifically speaking, indicates a superior aerobic system.

Professor Beltrame added: ‘While we don’t know why women have faster oxygen uptake, this study shakes up conventional wisdom. 

‘It could change the way we approach assessment and athletic training down the road.’

The findings were published in the journal Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism. 



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