We have shown that under testosterone suppression regimes typically used in clinical settings, and which comfortably exceed the requirements of sports federations for inclusion of transgender women in female sports categories by reducing testosterone levels to well below the upper tolerated limit, evidence for loss of the male performance advantage, established by testosterone at puberty and translating in elite athletes to a 10–50% performance advantage, is lacking.
_Rather, the data show that strength, lean body mass, muscle size and bone density are only trivially affected. The reductions observed in muscle mass, size, and strength are very small compared to the baseline differences between males and females in these variables, and thus, there are major performance and safety implications in sports where these attributes are competitively significant._
These data significantly undermine the delivery of fairness and safety presumed by the criteria set out in transgender inclusion policies, particularly given the stated prioritization of fairness as an overriding objective (for the IOC). If those policies are intended to preserve fairness, inclusion and the safety of biologically female athletes, sporting organizations may need to reassess their policies regarding inclusion of transgender women.
**How does hormone transition in transgender women change body composition, muscle strength and haemoglobin? Systematic review with a focus on the implications for sport participation**
In transwomen, hormone therapy rapidly reduces Hgb to levels seen in cisgender women.
_In contrast, hormone therapy decreases strength, LBM and muscle area, yet values remain above that observed in cisgender women, even after 36 months._
These findings suggest that strength may be well preserved in transwomen during the first 3 years of hormone therapy.
_Joanna Harper is the first author of Harper et al. She is a transwomen athlete who focuses on inclusion._
That scientists coming to the issue from two different angles reach the same conclusions about a given dataset should foster confidence in the scientific process and the conclusions reached by both groups.
British Cycling really need to set a policy that the majority of people competing in the sport can agree on and get behind. Bridges has done everything she can do to meet the requirements of the policy and has had the rug pulled from under her without really any evidence being presented that the previous policy was incorrect. A very poor show all round.
The worse the cost of living crisis spirals, the harder trans panic is pushed.
*This* is breaking news.
Good to see that this year’s Tory culture war has already immediately worked, including on this sub
Honestly I reckon this is the start of our own American style “bathroom bills”, elite sport is an easy thing to beat trans people with but it helps set public opinion for other matters, which is what I reckon they’ll go after next.
Whatever you think of the ruling – and I probably agree with it – it’s sad for the individual that they can’t take part in their gender’s sport.
Never heard of a trans-man excelling in men’s sport, are there any examples?
Why is this even news? Half the country is starving? Why do people care about cycling now?
Nobody with a brain gives a fuck about yet another Tory dead cat.
Nothing against transgenders but if you have a cock and balls full of testosterone it’s not fair to be competing with other women.
11 comments
Terrible headline. Should be:
> **[Male]** transgender athletes no longer able to compete at elite **[women’s]** events run by British Cycling
No-one is banned from competing because they identify as trans, they just need to compete in the correct category like everyone else.
—
EDIT: Yep they fixed it!
Originally it was:
> Transgender athletes no longer able to compete at elite events run by British Cycling
and has been changed to:
> Transgender women no longer able to compete at elite female events run by British Cycling
**Trust the science.**
**Transgender Women in the Female Category of Sport: Perspectives on Testosterone Suppression and Performance Advantage**
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40279-020-01389-3
**Conclusions**
We have shown that under testosterone suppression regimes typically used in clinical settings, and which comfortably exceed the requirements of sports federations for inclusion of transgender women in female sports categories by reducing testosterone levels to well below the upper tolerated limit, evidence for loss of the male performance advantage, established by testosterone at puberty and translating in elite athletes to a 10–50% performance advantage, is lacking.
_Rather, the data show that strength, lean body mass, muscle size and bone density are only trivially affected. The reductions observed in muscle mass, size, and strength are very small compared to the baseline differences between males and females in these variables, and thus, there are major performance and safety implications in sports where these attributes are competitively significant._
These data significantly undermine the delivery of fairness and safety presumed by the criteria set out in transgender inclusion policies, particularly given the stated prioritization of fairness as an overriding objective (for the IOC). If those policies are intended to preserve fairness, inclusion and the safety of biologically female athletes, sporting organizations may need to reassess their policies regarding inclusion of transgender women.
**How does hormone transition in transgender women change body composition, muscle strength and haemoglobin? Systematic review with a focus on the implications for sport participation**
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/55/15/865
**Conclusion**
In transwomen, hormone therapy rapidly reduces Hgb to levels seen in cisgender women.
_In contrast, hormone therapy decreases strength, LBM and muscle area, yet values remain above that observed in cisgender women, even after 36 months._
These findings suggest that strength may be well preserved in transwomen during the first 3 years of hormone therapy.
_Joanna Harper is the first author of Harper et al. She is a transwomen athlete who focuses on inclusion._
That scientists coming to the issue from two different angles reach the same conclusions about a given dataset should foster confidence in the scientific process and the conclusions reached by both groups.
British Cycling really need to set a policy that the majority of people competing in the sport can agree on and get behind. Bridges has done everything she can do to meet the requirements of the policy and has had the rug pulled from under her without really any evidence being presented that the previous policy was incorrect. A very poor show all round.
The worse the cost of living crisis spirals, the harder trans panic is pushed.
*This* is breaking news.
Good to see that this year’s Tory culture war has already immediately worked, including on this sub
Honestly I reckon this is the start of our own American style “bathroom bills”, elite sport is an easy thing to beat trans people with but it helps set public opinion for other matters, which is what I reckon they’ll go after next.
Whatever you think of the ruling – and I probably agree with it – it’s sad for the individual that they can’t take part in their gender’s sport.
Never heard of a trans-man excelling in men’s sport, are there any examples?
Why is this even news? Half the country is starving? Why do people care about cycling now?
Nobody with a brain gives a fuck about yet another Tory dead cat.
Nothing against transgenders but if you have a cock and balls full of testosterone it’s not fair to be competing with other women.