Contributions of strength and body composition to the gender difference in anaerobic power.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the significant factors contributing to the difference between men and women in anaerobic power (AP) generation. METHODS. PARTICIPANTS: College men (n = 113) and women (n = 175) were randomly selected for evaluation from a fitness class prior to training. MEASURES: AP was determined from the Margaria-Kalamen stair run. Dynamic strength was evaluated from the 1-RM single-leg extension. Body composition was estimated from gender-specific skinfold prediction equations. RESULTS: Discriminant analysis identified %fat, fat-free mass (FFM), and leg extension strength as significant components differentiating between men and women and allowed proper gender classification in 99% of the cases. When both strength and body composition variables were held constant by covariance, there was no significant difference between men and women in AP (F = 1.25). A multiple regression equation using %fat, FFM, and leg extension strength predicted AP (R = 0.91) with an error of 150 W. When the multiple regression equations was applied to a cross-validation sample, AP could be accurately predicted (r = 0.91, t = 0.17) with an average error of 3% +/- 21%. CONCLUSIONS: Body size and dynamic strength are the major factors explaining the explosive leg power difference between men and women without a specific or unique gender quality.