Comparison Of Fitness Parameters Among Cisgender And Transgender Adults

Transgender inclusion in athletics receives outsized attention despite small population of transgender individuals and little data measuring their physical performance. PURPOSE: To compare cis and trans individuals across a variety of health / performance measures. METHODS: Participants were assessed for: strength, VO2max, body composition, and anaerobic power, using: isometric dynamometry, 1 RM testing, a graded exercise test, bioelectrical impedance analysis, vertical jump tests, and Wingate anaerobic power tests. Resting metabolic rate and hematocrit were also assessed. MANOVAs with follow-up ANOVAs and post-hoc testing, were performed using SPSS version 29.0.2.0. RESULTS: Only one transwoman has completed the study, so was excluded. There were strength differences (F = 2.76, p < 0.05), with higher grip strength in cis men vs. cis women (p < 0.01), but not transmen (p = 0.06). Cis men had higher isometric elbow and knee, flexion and extension vs. cis women (all p < 0.05). Transmen were no different from either cisgender group. Cis and trans men had greater 1RM bench press vs. cis women (p < 0.01 and p = 0.04 respectively). Cis men outperformed cis women on leg press (p = 0.03), but transmen were no different from either cisgender group. Relative VO2max (F = 8.96, p < 0.01), showed higher values in cis men vs. cis women (p < 0.01), but transmen were no different from either cisgender group (both p > 0.05). Body composition (F = 9.64, p < 0.01), showed cis men having lower %BF vs. cis women or transmen (p < 0.01 and p = 0.02 respectively). For jump performance (F = 3.22, p = 0.01), cis men jumped higher vs. cis women (p < 0.01) or transmen (p = 0.02 static / p = 0.03 counter movement). The relative power output was only different between cis men and cis women (p < 0.01). During WAnT, cis men showed higher power output vs. cis women (p < 0.01) or transmen (p = 0.04), but with no differences in relative power output. For Hct (F = 20.34, p < 0.01), cis and trans men had higher Hct compared to cis women (p < 0.01 for both). Resting metabolic rate was higher among cis men compared to cis women (p < 0.01), but no differences between transmen and either cisgender group. CONCLUSION: Transgender individuals cannot be assumed to match the same physiologic parameters as their gender assigned at birth if they have been using gender-affirming hormone therapy. Supported by: PSC-CUNY Research Awards (Traditional B): TRADB-54-193