People all around the world have differing opinions on whether men are naturally better than women in sports, so it is time to finally settle the debate and state the facts.
For hundreds of years, men were the superior sex and meant to do the labor-intensive jobs whereas the “fragile” women were designed to be stowed away in the kitchen. For the past century, groups have been fighting against these misogynistic ideals and have worked to give women a voice and place in society right next to men. Now, more women are gaining positions in previously male-dominant jobs and are standing in the sunshine of success in sports. However, the idea that men are genetically stronger and therefore better at sports is still prominent in society. Opinions are nothing without concrete facts; now, science can give us those truthful answers.
According to the National Review, a site that gives insight into the science behind human anatomy, males have many biological advantages, such as a “taller body height, greater muscle strength, larger hearts, and lungs, than similarly aged, gifted, and trained females.” Having larger lungs allows for a more robust supply of oxygen to enter the body, creating stronger physical stamina when participating in strenuous activities. Usually, a taller height makes it easier to gain greater mobility and agility to generate force when playing sports like volleyball, tennis, and basketball. Men can also cover greater distances in a shorter amount of time. So, men have many attributes that contribute to the idea that they are more equipped to perform better in sports.
Some might argue that despite these anatomical differences, women have other qualities that give them an upper hand. Cassio Rippel, the ISSF Athletes Committee Chair, reveals that women’s lower body mass and their center of gravity allow for a greater sense of balance. Females mainly dominate gymnastics, and balance as well as flexibility are key factors in this sport. When it comes to determining which sex has more success in their field of expertise for athletics, the Olympics are a great example. In the 2024 Olympics, the women brought home 26 of the 40 U.S. gold medals. They also received 67 out of the total 126 U.S. medals earned. The Olympics are considered to be the place that gathers the greatest athletes from all over the world in sports to compete. So if women are succeeding in this area, who’s to say that they aren’t surpassing men in the sports arenas?
Truthfully, success in sports isn’t entirely based on someone’s physical attributes; it’s the mental game. Athletes who have made a name for themselves always talk about how important a strong mentality is. Tiger Woods is arguably one of the greatest male golfers to ever play, and even though he stressed the importance of physical health, he also talked about how the mental game was just as crucial. He explained that his “Mental training is essential in golf. When I visualize success and believe in my abilities, I can achieve remarkable results.” Woods knew that the work and effort he put into his craft meant nothing if he didn’t have the mental toughness to block out any fear of failure. The greatest athletes, men or women, are connected by their mental strength and determination to become the best version of themselves.
Even though the male anatomy is genetically designed for them to have greater muscle mass, a taller stature, and larger hearts and lungs, that does not make them automatically better at sports. In the end, performance isn’t all about someone’s physical attributes; it all comes down to the person’s determination to improve their mentality so that no one can distract them from their goal, and no amount of fear can scare them away from reaching their full potential.
