The Stronger Sex: What Science Tells Us About the Power of the Female Body

Science writer and athlete Vartan (The Eco Chick Guide to Life) posits that adaptation and variety are the norm for human bodies, not commonly accepted stereotypes of strong men and weak women. Physical strength is measured in many ways, often in ways that advantage men’s bodies. However, height, weight, and training play a bigger role in athletic performance than gender, and Vartan explores how longevity, flexibility, durability, and metabolism affect the athletic performance of all kinds of people. She also shows how menstruation and pain sensitivity are shown to increase athleticism in women. Vartan summarizes hundreds of scientific papers to examine how studies from the past and the present have often excluded women research subjects. Besides scientists, Vartan interviews marathoners, wrestlers, coaches, Olympic medalists, and professional athletes about their experiences. She also looks back on how strong women were depicted in art and mythology and what is known of prehistoric humans’ bodies and capabilities. The book finally looks forward to advancing research in little-understood areas and changing racial and cultural norms around athletic performance.