https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/07/scientist-racing-discover-how-gender-transitions-alter-athletic-performance-including |
Without jumping into the overall discussion (which is usually futile regardless of what stance one has), I just wanted to point out the highly flawed conclusion of assuming that transitioned men would hold to athletic advantage over biologically born women based on a study like this. The reason is simple; females have a proportionately much higher percentage of slow-twitch (type 1) muscle fibers, which is an advantage in endurance events, whereas men have a much higher concentration of fast-twitch (type 2) muscle fibers, lending more towards explosivity and short boosts of power. In addition, females burn less energy per meter traveled due to their smaller torso and overall lower bodyweight which holds less overall muscle mass and thus requires less energy (there are also differences in metabolism). Another advantage for endurance events is an overall higher subcutaneous fat mass per pound in women, allowing for more liquid retention and thus lessening issues with dehydration, cramps, and other associated problems over distance. Females have a natural biological and evolutionary advantage in endurance type events (although sociologists and those of similar ilk would be hard-pressed to validate something as blunt and stupid as biology and evolution since all things are merely socially constructed).
Long-distance running or something of similar nature is likely the only type of event where a transitioned man would hold little advantage, depending on one's physique and training background, they might even have a slight disadvantage depending on size etc. However, the vast majority of sports and athletics, be it team sports or other events, are built on explosive bursts and/or intermittency of such. Here, a taller physique with stronger bones and a considerably higher overall skeletal-muscle mass consisting of more type 2 muscle fibers will provide a huge advantage, with very few exceptions. Look at it this way; the male body is a tuned car with lots of power, it can reach immense speeds and accelerates quickly, whereas the female body has less overall horsepower and torque but is less likely to break down and consumers considerably less gasoline.
Look at how long-distance runners are built and compare it to a sprinter. A hulking frame with lots of type 2 muscle fiber will make for a terrible long-distance runner, a lanky and type 1 fiber dominated frame will be left in the dust in a sprint. That cited study proves precisely nothing, all-in-all, I would personally call it merely cherrypicking, and even that would be a kindness.
Above is Kenenisa Bekele, a marathon runner.
Compare that to Asafa Powell below.
