Leigh Breen says women can build muscle as easily as men

The Guardian examined the common belief that women find it harder to develop muscle than men. Leigh Breen, a muscle‑physiology specialist at the University of Leicester, explained that men typically have a higher absolute muscle mass because of much higher testosterone levels, but this does not dictate the capacity for growth.

When the percentage of muscle growth is measured, men and women respond very similarly to the same exercise programmes. Women usually have a higher fat‑to‑muscle ratio, a result of hormonal differences, yet comparable strength gains are achievable with identical training. Reducing body‑fat proportion still requires a focused diet and consistent exercise.