Women Surpass Men in Extreme Sports Performance, New Research Indicates

Recent studies reveal a noteworthy shift in athletic performance, with women increasingly outperforming men in some of the world's most extreme sporting events. Traditionally, strength, speed, and endurance metrics have shown males to have an advantage of 10% to 30%. However, emerging evidence suggests that this gap is narrowing, especially in ultra-endurance activities and cold-weather expeditions.

Historical milestones include Katherine V. Switzer's historic 1967 Boston Marathon run, challenging the widespread notion that women could not compete in such long-distance events. Over the decades, advancements in nutrition, footwear technology, and race strategies have contributed to improved female athletic achievements. For instance, Kenyan athlete Ruth Chepng'etich holds the women's marathon record at 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 56 seconds, just over nine minutes behind her male counterpart.

A groundbreaking study published in Frontiers in Physiology investigated sex-specific physiological adaptations in extreme conditions. Using the doubly labeled water technique, researchers observed that women demonstrated greater metabolic efficiency during the 200 km Arctic winter Alaska Mountain Wilderness Ski Classic. Despite higher fat mass and lower lean tissue, women managed similar levels of performance as men, suggesting an evolutionary advantage in cold environments.

Biological factors underpin these findings, including hormonal influences like testosterone, which promotes muscle growth in males, and hormonal stability in females, which may favor fat oxidation during prolonged exertion. Interestingly, recent ultramarathon performances by women, such as Pamela Reed and Hiroko Okiyama, showcase their resilience and ability to excel in races lasting from six hours to several days.

Further research into Arctic resilience showed that women activate cold-induced thermogenesis at lower temperatures, possibly reducing their metabolic demands in extreme cold. Despite smaller numbers, female athletes are demonstrating comparable endurance and adaptability, even in challenging military simulations involving prolonged backcountry survival.

These findings indicate an evolving landscape of female athletic capability that could reshape our understanding of human performance limits. As data accumulates, the idea of a performance gap between genders continues to diminish, emphasizing the importance of inclusive, gender-neutral training and support strategies in sports.

_source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-women-men-extreme-sports-events.html