League: WNBA Sport: Basketball Country: United States Category: Scores & Results

Study finds no clear physical advantage for trans women in sports

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 12, 2026, 10:50 AM

Last updated Aug 12, 2026

Study finds no clear physical advantage for trans women in sports

Summary

A recent study published in 2026 indicates that transgender women do not possess a clear physical advantage over cisgender women after hormone therapy. The research, which analyzed data from 52 studies, revealed comparable physical fitness levels despite transgender women having greater lean muscle mass. The findings challenge existing arguments for banning trans athletes from women's sports, suggesting that current policies may be based on misconceptions about inherent athletic advantages. The co-author, Bruno Gualano, emphasized that the data does not support the notion that transgender women would dominate women's competitions.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•New study shows transgender women lack clear athletic advantages post-hormone therapy.
•Research pooled data from 52 studies, examining thousands of participants.
•Transgender women have comparable physical fitness to cisgender women.
•Current bans on trans athletes may be based on flawed assumptions.
•Study conducted by Brazilian researchers, including Bruno Gualano.

Latest Updates

10:50 AMYahoo Sports — ‘No clear physical advantage’: New scientific study ‘refutes’ trans sports bans

What they're saying

"
Over the past several months and years, the issue of transgender women and girls participating in women’s sports has become a hot-button topic in the United States. But a new study published just this year has provided some new information on the issue. While there has been a growing push to ban trans women from…
— Yahoo Sports

Related Teams & Leagues

Indiana Fever WNBA Basketball