Female Testosterone: Contested Terrain
in Kinesiology ReviewClick name to view affiliation
Search for other papers by Vikki Krane in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Emma Calow in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Brandy Panunti in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
World Athletics policy narrowly defines female athletes, creating contested bodies in elite sport. Framed by feminist cultural studies and transfeminism, we discuss the eligibility rules and their real-life impact. Women with naturally elevated endogenous testosterone (hyperandrogenism) are being treated as if they are cheating. That high testosterone in female bodies has been deemed an unfair competitive advantage is consistent with dominant cultural narratives rather than the research about testosterone and sport performance. Applying an intersectional lens, it becomes clear that race, region, class, and nation intersect so that women athletes from the Global South are disproportionately affected by the eligibility regulations. This creation of contested bodies has led to critical mental and physical health outcomes. Cherry-picking one biological component of a body as the cause of exceptional performance in elite sport is irresponsible. Instead, we need education, compassion, and to follow sound science grounded in moral and ethical research.
Krane (vkrane@bgsu.edu) is corresponding author, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8722-4140.
© 2023 Human Kinetics