A De-Masculinization of Strength

Book excerpt: Introduction to A De-Masculinization of Strength, Andrew Charniga, Sportivnypress.com A De-Masculinization of Strength is one of a kind in – depth analysis of the evolution of the elite female weightlifter. Beginning with progress of the female world records relative to those of the men since the introduction of world weightlifting championships for women in 1987; social, physiological and psychological factors involved in the achievements are covered. Considerable incite is offered into the how and why female lifters have overcome social – psychological barriers to achieve high results in male dominated realm of strength. “The psychotropic quality of aggressiveness is a natural peculiarity of the male weightlifter in response to the ascending weight of the barbell.” “Sport scientists Medvedyev (RUS) {1999} and CAO (CHN) {1993} both believe the female weightlifter’s ability to accommodate this massive training load is because the female organism has low levels of testosterone.” “It is more common knowledge than common application that exercises requiring high power necessitate performance against a backdrop of overall relaxation”. “…the male weightlifter is not as capable of performing a complex speed – strength skill exercise like the clean and jerk as efficiently as the female weightlifter; due to the male’s reliance on pyramiding levels of aggressiveness to perform this exercise.” “The psychotropic quality of aggressiveness is a natural peculiarity o the male weightlifter in response to the ascending weight of the barbell.” “Relaxed straining would seem to be an oxymoron.” “The East German sports science authorities decided “to administer testosterone as well as dihydrotestosterone by nasal spray, especially in those events in which the psychotropic effects of testosterone, such as increased aggressiveness, are considered important, as well as to evade doping tests.” (Franke, Berendonk, 1997). “… extensive observations over a period of many years, many top female lifters are able to perform the jerk from the chest even after a very fatiguing clean, precisely because they lack this quality of aggressiveness, i.e., the overzealous, impulsiveness which inhibits the ability to switch effectively from a simpler power movement in order to physically and psychologically re – gather.”