While it’s common knowledge that male and female bodies are built more similarly than they are differently, there are a few areas where they differ in fascinating ways. So, is this the case for muscle growth? Do male muscle growth and female muscle growth progress at the same pace, or are either at an advantage due to their gender? We’ll walk you through it.
Similarities Between Male and Female Muscle Growth
The key similarity between male muscle growth and female muscle growth is that both are guaranteed to see results from their training over time. The human body will be able to build muscle regardless of gender, as long as the individual is exerting extra effort into strength training and living an active lifestyle. However, having males and females perform the same routine or intensity for strength training cannot guarantee that they will yield the same results.
While all bodies can help their muscles grow through extensive training, the amount of progress being made depends on the body composition of said individual. With that in mind, muscle growth does not depend on gender itself; the pace at which muscles are built and developed ultimately depends on an individual’s size and body composition, regardless of their gender. By keeping your size and body composition in mind, you can know your body better and find more efficient ways to utilize your strength and energy to achieve better results.
Differences Between Male and Female Bodies
While we’ve established that the muscle growth of an individual is not directly affected by their gender, understanding the differences in body composition between genders may provide a better understanding of how to build muscle in the long run. This section will discuss some of the key differences between biological males and females in terms of body composition.
Males are at an advantage when it comes to weight loss because of how their body is naturally built. When it comes to body composition, the bodies of males contain more muscle than fat. The muscle to fat ratio contributes greatly to one’s weight loss progress. With more muscle in their bodies, males are able to burn calories faster than females. This means that it is much easier for them to shed extra weight and begin building muscle. This is also why males can be less strict with their diets, as the amount of muscle in their bodies aids in burning calories at a more efficient rate than the bodies of females.
Unlike males, females have more fat than muscle inside their bodies. However, female bodies are primarily composed of “healthy” fat, rather than the harmful type. The natural fat in female bodies is commonly distributed across areas like the hips or the thighs. Having a higher amount of fat inside their bodies also provides certain benefits for the metabolism, allowing females to generally perform better than males in some areas of athletics.
Muscle Composition and Strength
Male muscle growth and female muscle growth may also be influenced by an individual’s muscle composition. Females are generally known to possess more “slow-twitch muscle fibers”, which enables them to have increased capillary density compared to males, caused by the high level of myoglobin in their muscles. Having higher capillary density can be beneficial, as this catalyzes the flow of nutrients and oxygen to the muscles while ensuring that they are free from waste. It also increases the amount of blood in the muscles, which boosts endurance. With that in mind, females have been proven to possess greater abilities in enduring and sustaining force during strength training.
Despite females having an advantage in endurance, males’ bodies are generally built with more muscle compared to those of females, which makes it easier for them to exert increased strength during training.
Overall, both males and females excel in their own ways. Males make up for the lack of fat in their bodies with the strength provided by their muscle mass, while females can support and sustain effort for longer periods of time.
Factors that Affect Muscle Growth
It’s a given that the muscles will begin to deteriorate with age, regardless of gender. However, females are naturally at a disadvantage because of the way their bodies develop as they age. As females grow older, their bodies experience muscle protein breakdown and reduced progress from training due to the changes that occur after menopause. Once females have gone through menopause, their bodies begin to slow in building and retaining muscle due to the decreased amount of estrogen in the body. With that, it becomes much more difficult to maintain strength and muscle mass.
Hormones
Hormones are a significant factor in muscle growth and development. Males are at an advantage when it comes to hormones that supplement their muscle growth, as they have high levels of testosterone. This hormone is responsible for ensuring that the bodies of males have a higher level of muscle than fat.
Meanwhile, female muscle growth is sustained by estrogen. Despite being a counterpart to testosterone, the level of estrogen in a female’s body is significantly lower compared to a male’s testosterone level, which is why males may find it easier to build and maintain muscle mass.
Build Muscle Today — Personal Trainer Sacramento
Males and females have both differences and similarities when it comes to muscle growth. While males excel in strength, females are much better in endurance. Overall, muscle growth depends greatly on muscle mass and body composition. Gender plays a key role in both factors, but ultimately, it will depend on the individual. If you are interested in learning more about muscle growth through a trained professional, then feel free to contact us for a free week today.
