Validation of gender difference in the Margaria-Kalamen anaerobic power test

The purpose of this study was to determine the significant factors contributing to the difference between men and women in anaerobic power generation. College men (n = 122) and women (n = 130) were randomly selected from a fitness class prior to training and evaluated for anaerobic power, strength and body composition. Anaerobic power was determined from the Margaria-Kalamen stair run. Dynamic strength was evaluated from the 1-RM single-leg extension (LE) and 1-RM bench press. Body composition was estimated from gender-specific skinfold prediction equations. Discriminant analysis identified %fat, fat-free mass and LE as significant components differentiating between men and women and allowed proper gender classification in 100% of the cases. When the effects of strength and body composition differences were removed as covariables, there was no significant difference between men and women in anaerobic power output (F = 0.62). The equations developed to predict anaerobic power from strength and body composition cross-validated well (r > 0.0) on a similar sample. In conclusion, muscular quantity and quality are the major factors contributing to anaerobic power production differences between untrained men and women.