There is no evidence that trans athletes have an advantage: science

In March of this year, World Athletics (WA) announced that transgender athletes will not be able to compete in the women’s category their international tests.

Organization President Sebastian Coe said that from March 31, no transgender athlete who has passed the world ranking will be allowed to participate in competitions gaining points for the world ranking. male puberty.

The WA has also ruled that in order to compete in women’s events, athletes with sexual developmental differences (DSD)that is, congenital conditions that cause atypical sexual development must have testosterone levels below 2.5 nmol per liter (nmol/l) at least 24 months before international competitions.

However, according to researchers interviewed by the journal The science no evidence or scientific consensus argue that trans women have some advantage over cis athletes.

What is the scientific community saying?

This was told by a geneticist specializing in gender biology Eric Wilen. The science that very little research has been published on transport athletes; and how little public does not show sufficient results maintain a policy similar to that of World Athletics.

“For example, a 2021 review found that trans women’s muscle mass remains high after the transition, but your hemoglobin levelprotein that carries oxygen in the blood comparable to those of cisgender women“, he explains to a scientific journal.

elevated hemoglobin level promote better transport of oxygen to the muscles during physical activity, and men tend to have higher hemoglobin levels than women.

From laboratory studies of hemoglobin levels and muscle mass cannot be concluded that trans women run faster, jump higher or throw farther, Vilen emphasizes.

A 2015 study of the results of trans athletes found that their race times were shorter. slowed down after switching to female their results compared to runners of the same gender remained the same.

“The results indicate that they have no advantage about cisgender women,” says The science.

This study, conducted by scientist Joanna Harper, involved eight trans athletes. Harper claims that, to the best of his knowledge, no trans woman has competed internationally at the elite level. On this basis, he suggests that trans athletes do not win every medal or break records due to some possible physical advantage.

World Athletics admits lack of evidence

In an email sent to science Insider, This was stated by the representative of the International Athletics Federation. there is no evidence to support the exclusion of trans women in their competencies.

“That’s why not enough evidence to demonstrate that the male advantage of transgender athletes can be eliminated, that World Athletics has made such a decision, ”says a message published in The science.

But while there is no evidence that the “benefits” are eliminated, and there is no evidence to suggest that they persist. “You have to prove it before you rule it out,” said geneticist Eric Vilaine.

In addition, setting testosterone levels below 2.5 nanomoles per liter (nmol/l), also affects cisgender women with differences in sexual development.. They will be forced to take medication to lower their testosterone levels. But the effects of these treatments are short-lived, so maintaining hormone levels becomes challenging.

Limit affects athletes from South Africa with DSD to a greater extent, who usually have higher testosterone levels compared to other women. Thus, Wilen considered the measure WA as discriminatorybecause it competes with many cis women with high testosterone levels, such as those with polycystic ovary syndrome, but not with differences in sexual development.

A consensus published in 2021 by the International Sports Medicine Federation notes lack of research on the performance of athletes with DSD before, during or after testosterone suppression.

Consequences of the ban imposed by WA

Harper said The science that the exclusion of transgender athletes from the women’s category may hinder future scientific research, in addition to creating an environment of discrimination and fear. “I heard from three trans athletes from other countries that they now have too much afraid to compete in their favorite sporthe points out.

World Athletics decision even limits the search for evidence about the presence or absence of benefits due to testosterone levels.

“If there are far fewer trans athletes competing, the number of potential study participants will in turn decrease. And DSD athletes who want to compete they will have to change their body by lowering their hormone levels, which will complicate efforts to explore its obvious benefits,” explains The science.

Source: Aristegui Noticias

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