Gender Differences in Push-up and Bench Press Performance
Research highlights the performance gap in push-ups and bench presses among active men and women.
This study aims to investigate the performance differences between genders in push-up and bench press exercises when the loads are equivalently adjusted for body weight. The objective is to determine whether males and females exhibit different performance outcomes in these upper-body strength exercises.
Key Points
Method
The study employed a quantitative approach with the following key components:
Participants: The sample consisted of 32 participants, divided into two groups: 16 males and 16 females, all of whom were physically active.
Exercise Protocol: Each participant performed two exercises: push-ups and bench presses. The push-up exercise was performed using body weight, while the bench press was performed with a load equivalent to a percentage of the participant's body weight (75% of body weight for males and 50% for females) during push-ups.
Performance Measurement: The primary metrics measured were the total number of repetitions completed for both exercises and the maximum weight lifted during bench presses.
Statistical Analysis: Data were analysed using appropriate statistical tests to compare performance outcomes between genders, focusing on repetitions completed and weight lifted.
Results
The results indicated significant differences in performance between male and female participants:
Push-Ups: There was no significant difference in the number of push-ups performed between men (32.8) and women (29.6).
Bench Press: Males outperformed females in the bench press exercise. Males lifted heavier weights (an average of about 77.7 kg more) compared to females, and relative to body mass, men lifted 2.4 times more mass than women.
Statistical Significance: The differences observed in both exercises were statistically significant, confirming that gender impacts performance outcomes in upper-body strength exercises.
