Effect of gender affirming hormone treatment on athletic performance
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The effects of gender-affirming hormone treatment in trans women on morphological, functional and molecular markers of performance relevant to combat and collision sports
IRAS ID
306324
Contact name
Georgina Stebbings
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Manchester Metropolitan University
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 1 months, 30 days
Research summary
The medical term when someone experiences conflict between the gender they were given at birth and the gender they identity with now is called gender dysphoria. If someone is diagnosed with gender dysphoria they are transgender. People who want to change sex can have treatment known as gender-affirming treatment (GAT). They are given different medicines and may be able to have surgery. Many people who have GAT still take part in sports and activities. However, these people may be different physiologically – meaning stronger or larger compared to people who are the same gender they were assigned at birth. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of GAT that suppresses testosterone on measures of performance, such as muscle strength, relevant to combat and collision athletes such as rugby players.
We will undertake a three year research study using people who are regularly taking part in combat and collision sports such as rugby both in the community and at a higher competitive level. We will include a group of trans women undergoing GAT and compare them to a group of men who are the same gender they were assigned at birth and two groups of women who are the same gender they were assigned at birth. We will measure different markers of physical performance at four different time points over two years.
Our study will identify the effects of GAT on people who are transgender and how this may change over time with treatment. We will be able to compare the effects of this treatment to people who are the same gender that they were assigned at birth (both male and female). This study will help to understand if there are any fairness or safety concerns for their inclusion in sport.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/NW/0065
Date of REC Opinion
30 May 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion