12/03/2026
We are not small men! Great that this conversation is being had! Ladies please bear this in mind in relation to any areas of metabolism, weight loss diets like fasting as well as building muscle etc, what works for men, doesn’t necessarily work for you!
🏃♀️ Have you ever followed a strict "proven" training plan and wondered why it didn't work for you?
The truth is, the "science" might not have been looking at you at all.
For decades, exercise science has treated the male body as the universal default.
A recent review of over 5,000 studies found a shocking disparity in sports medicine.
Only 6% of studies focused exclusively on women.
This means the vast majority of "gold standard" fitness advice is based on male physiology.
Researchers often exclude women from trials because hormonal fluctuations are seen as "too complex."
By avoiding the menstrual cycle, scientists create a "cleaner" data set.
But that data doesn't translate to the real-world experience of female athletes.
Women face unique challenges with iron deficiency, ACL injury risks, and bone density.
Nutritional needs and recovery times also shift significantly throughout the month.
When we ignore these variables, we aren't just missing data.
We are giving women sub-optimal advice that can lead to injury or burnout.
Training "harder" isn't the answer if the plan ignores your biology.
The industry is finally starting to wake up to this massive research gap.
It is time to move past the idea that women are just "smaller versions of men."
Personalized science is the only way to unlock true athletic potential for everyone.
Awareness is the first step toward demanding better data and better coaching.
✨ Key Takeaways:
✅ Hormonal cycles impact strength, metabolism, and injury risk.
✅ One-size-fits-all programs usually default to male-centric data.
✅ Female-specific research is essential for long-term health and performance.
References:
Costello, J. T., Bieuzen, F., & Bleakley, C. M. (2014). Where are all the female participants in sports and exercise medicine research? European Journal of Sport Science.
Smith, E. S., et al. (2022). Auditing the representation of female athletes in sports science and sports medicine research. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport.
