Contributions of strength and body composition to the gender difference inanaerobic power

Background. The purpose of this study was to determine the significant fact ors contributing to the difference between men and women in anaerobic power (AP) generation. Methods, Participants: college men (n=113) and women (n=175) were randomly selected for evaluation from a fitness class prior to training. Measures: A P was determined from the Margaria-Kalamen stair run. Dynamic strength was evaluated from the l-RM single-leg extension. Body composition was estimate d from gender-specific skinfold prediction equations, Results. Discriminant analysis identified %fat, fat-free mass (FFM), and le g extension strength as significant components differentiating between men and women and allowed proper gender classification in 99% of the cases. Whe n both strength and body composition variables were held constant by covari ance, there was no significant difference between men and women in AP (F=1. 25), A multiple regression equation using %fat, FFM, and leg extension stre ngth predicted AP (R=0.91) with an error of 150 W. When the multiple regres sion equations was applied to a cross-validation sample, AP could be accura tely predicted (r=0.91, t=0.17) with an average error of 3% +/-21%. Conclusions. Body size and dynamic strength are the major factors explainin g the explosive leg power difference between men and women without a specif ic or unique gender quality.