Anthropometry and strength relationship: male-female differences.

Based upon 303 students from the Complutense University at Madrid (100 males and 203 females), aged between 21 and 29 years, the results of nine anthropometric measurements and four strength tests were evaluated. Males and females were analyzed separately in order to determine whether the relationship of body typology to physical performance varies according to gender. Regarding strength, maximum gender differences were observed for pulling strength (females: 53% of male values), followed by hand grip (59%) and vertical jump (66%). In general, correlations among variables were significant (anthropometric, strength, and anthropometric/strength). Principal component analysis revealed, that for women the vertical jump could be interpretated as more dependent on trunk length than on height or body size. Body size was relevant with respect to static strength. For males the vertical jump appeared to be more related to longitudinal dimensions than for females, while static strength had more to do with body mass (weight) than with body size (height).