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Posted by u/caffeine_and_lifting路

Why is there such a gap in research on women-specific training?

TL;DR: What's up with the lack of women-specific training research in lifting?

I was diving into some studies recently and noticed that most lifting research is dominated by male subjects, which is kinda wild, right? Like, Schoenfeld and Helms drop some serious knowledge bombs, but it's mostly on dudes. Can't women lift heavy too? Where's the literature on their training needs? I mean, it's 2023, c'mon! Anyone got insights on this or know of studies that actually include women? My coffee-fueled brain needs answers.

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u/midwest_lifter路

You're right, the gap in research is pretty glaring. I've been lifting for over a decade, and I've noticed that most of the data doesn't account for differences in physiology between men and women. A lot of trainers are still using cookie-cutter approaches based on male-centered studies, which doesn't make sense! Women can and should lift heavy, and their training needs are just as important. It's 2023, like you said, we need more inclusivity in fitness research!

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u/never_skiplegday99路

Facts! If they can lift weights, they can lift heavy! If leg day is life, then women can crush it too

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u/6footdadbod路

This whole thing reminds me of when my wife started lifting. She found it frustrating to see all the male-centric info out there, especially as she wanted to get strong. It just shows that the fitness world needs to be more inclusive. If my wife can squat with the best of 'em, then we need more research that reflects that experience

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u/caffeine_and_lifting路

100, bro. Women can lift heavy too! I mean, I just had a coffee that's stronger than some of these studies. 馃槀

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u/squat_to_pizza路

Right? I've been powerlifting for a while, and the lack of focus on female lifters in research is mind-blowing. I remember reading about some women breaking records, but those studies barely skimmed the surface. It feels like we are missing out on so many potential insights into strength training for women. Like, imagine the PRs we could have if more research was focused on us!

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u/strengthinthechaos路

This issue has been a long-standing problem in fitness research. For years, women were underrepresented in studies, which is baffling considering how many women are now in strength training. The data that does exist often fails to address specific cycles like the menstrual cycle and how it affects performance and recovery. We need to push for more studies that include diverse populations. It's time for research to catch up with the times!

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u/spoonie_lifter路

i feel this so hard. I have chronic fatigue and still want to lift. Women's experiences in training are different, and it's frustrating to see that we aren't represented in research. The more studies we have on women's training, the better equipped we'll be to handle our unique challenges. Can't wait for more data to come out!

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u/runningfromcardio路

Yeah, this is kinda wild. I'm just trying to get fit and deal with my cardio hate, but lifting is where I feel at home. When I see all these studies, it's like, where do women even fit in? Lifting is for everyone, so they should include all types of bodies in research.

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u/cuttingseason_2024路

I just started lifting, and honestly, I feel so overwhelmed sometimes. I see these male-dominated studies, and it makes me question if I'm doing it right. We really need more accessible info focused on women, especially for beginners like me. It's tough when all the examples in research are based on guys who've been lifting for years!

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u/carbphobia路

Ngl, I think the fitness industry has a long way to go. Women have been historically underrepresented, and studies that include them often fail to consider the specifics of female physiology. We should be asking why it's taking so long to fix this gap. If we can throw money at new supplements and equipment, surely we can fund more diverse research too!

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u/calisthenics_nerd路

It's interesting to look at the physiological differences that can affect training. Women may have different muscle fiber compositions, hormonal influences, and recovery patterns, which can change how they respond to different training stimuli. More research on these areas would definitely help tailor programs that maximize results for women. We need studies that don't just lump everyone together.

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u/bench_press_buddha路

i see a lot of discussions around women's training needs, but when you dig deeper, many of those voices are drowned out by the louder, male-focused narratives. It's not just about lifting heavy, it's also about understanding how cycles, injuries, and recovery differ. It's about crafting a narrative that resonates with female lifters and honors their experiences. We need more women in research roles too!

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u/whey_addict路

Bro, the real question is when are we gonna see more memes about female lifters? 馃槀 Like, if we're gonna push for more research, we might as well have some fun with it too. This whole gap in studies is just waiting for a punchline!

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