A new study challenges the assumption that transgender women retain a significant athletic advantage over cisgender women after hormone therapy. While trans women were found to retain more muscle mass, the research indicated no observable differences in upper or lower body strength or maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) compared to cisgender women. These findings challenge the scientific basis for “blanket bans” in sports, suggesting that physical performance levels tend to converge over time following medical transition. However, researchers noted that more long-term studies are needed to explore factors like “muscle memory” and the impact of transition timing on athletic performance.
Date: February 4, 2026. Source: independent.co.uk