Explaining the performance differences between men and women
Discussing the differences in performance between men and women is always challenging. For example, we could look at the difference between the two world records in 100 m freestyle in an Olympic swimming pool. This is approximately 10%. Or, we could calculate the average of the top ten men’s and women’s performances in history.
ANTHROPOMETRY
The first difference in swimming between men and women is anthropometrics. Women are at an advantage over men because of their more diminutive stature and the differences in proportions within the body. Women cannot generate the same amount of power as men, so they produce less work.
As women age, they develop a lower center of gravity. This gives them better balance and stability. These are both crucial factors for keeping their body stable in water.
WEIGHT AND BODY COMPOSITION
Women are heavier than men on average, but their body composition is different: they have about 25% more body fat.
The higher fat percentage harms swimming performance but allows women to float easier. They can conserve energy by keeping their legs close to the surface, which results in a more efficient swim stroke.
The CARDIO-CIRCULATORY APPARATUS
The heart size of women is smaller (650cc as opposed to 800cc), and their average cardiac output is 25% lower than men’s. Women’s blood oxygen-carrying capacity is limited, which puts them at a disadvantage in aerobic disciplines.
MAXIMUM OXYGEN USE (VO2MAX).
The average VO2 max for an adult female is lower than that of a male. This could be due to the differences in body composition, notably that women have higher body fat percentages. Another reason is the hemoglobin level difference (10-14% higher for men because of higher testosterone levels).
In light of everything we have said, it is obvious to ask: Are there different training methods available for men and women?
There’s no easy answer to this, but there are many ways of improving performance.
Men and women can sustain similar workloads at the highest level, but it will never be the same. The differences in physiological traits prevent this, and in fact, they show that quality training is more efficient for women than aerobic sessions.
Here are three progressively more difficult workouts carefully tailored to quality.
Due to their greater capacity to handle such sessions, women may find it easier than men to complete these workouts. You can incorporate them into your training at least twice per week to see if there are any benefits.
