Abstract
This study analyzed gender differences in upper body explosive strength (1) before, and (2) after partialling out of the influence of fat free mass (FFM) and upper body maximal strength. Altogether 20 male and 21 female physical education students volunteered in this study. Maximal strength of the upper was assessed using one repetition maximum bench press test (1RM BP), while upper body explosive strength was assessed using seated ball (0.55 kg) or medicine ball (2 kg and 4 kg) throwing test, respectively. Throwing velocity was assessed using a radar gun. The results showed that men have significantly higher upper body explosive strength than women at all loading conditions, both before (~30%; p < 0.001) and after controlling for FFM (~10%; p < 0.05). When both FFM and upper body maximal strength (1RM BP) were controlled for, gender differences in upper body explosive strength disappeared (p = 0.15) only for the highest load applied (i.e. 4 kg). Taken together, our results suggest that gender differences in upper body explosive strength cannot be completely explained by gender differences in FFM. We conclude that other physiological factors should be looked for to explain size-independent gender differences in upper body explosive strength
