Sex differences in resistance training: a brief narrative review

Abstract Purpose Sex differences in response to resistance training (RT) remain a critical topic in sports science, influencing performance optimization, injury prevention and exercise prescription. Historically, RT research has been male-dominated, creating gaps in understanding female-specific adaptations. Aims This brief narrative review synthesizes the current literature on sex-based differences in maximal strength, muscle hypertrophy, speed strength, and strength endurance, exploring underlying physiological, anatomical, and neuromuscular factors. Methods A semi-structured literature search was conducted across sport science databases. Preference was given to studies published between 2020 and 2025, with additional articles identified through screening the references of recent publications. Only peer-reviewed studies on human adults and written in English were included. Results Males typically exhibit greater absolute strength than females due to higher muscle mass and a larger proportion of type II fibers. However, relative strength gains and hypertrophic responses are largely comparable between sexes. Females demonstrate greater fatigue resistance than males, particularly during isometric contractions. They also tend to exhibit a higher proportion of type I fibers and this provides a partial explanation for their superior endurance capacity. Conclusions Despite the growing interest in unraveling sex differences in response to RT, the time course of chronic adaptation remains insufficiently studied, especially in females, making it unclear whether both sexes progress at the same rate over time. Given the substantial variability in the responses to RT, this review emphasizes the necessity of individualized training approaches over generalized sex-based prescriptions.