American College Of Sports Medicine Puts Out The 'No Duh' Statement Of The Century

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has published an expert consensus statement regarding the difference in athletic ability between males and females. And you're never going to guess what they came up with.

Just kidding. It's exactly what we've been saying all along.

"Biological sex is a primary determinant of athletic performance because of fundamental sex differences in anatomy and physiology dictated by sex chromosomes and sex hormones," the statement reads.

And to this we all say: DUH.

The statement, of course, comes amid the ongoing conversation surrounding the participation of transgender athletes in sports — both at the amateur and elite levels. Increasingly over the past couple of years, we've seen trans-identifying male athletes switching over to women's sports and enjoying a physical advantage over their female competitors.

Activists consistently claim this advantage doesn't exist. So the ACSM is clearing things up.

ACSM Explores 'Biological Basis of Sex Differences in Athletic Performance'

According to lead author Sandra Hunter, Ph.D., FACSM, the ACSM's statement emerged "using a blend of research evidence and consensus of expert opinion."

The group broke it down into five key findings:

(Getty Images)

That's a lot of science. But the moral of the story is simple: Males enjoy a biological advantage over females when it comes to sport. And even if a fully grown man undergoes hormone therapy, he still holds a significant advantage because he experienced male puberty.

The ACSM claims the statement's primary goal is "to share the latest scientific knowledge and subject matter expertise on the issue." However, the authors clarify they cannot make policy recommendations. Those will still be up to the sports' respective governing bodies.

So, leaders of athletic organizations, the ball is in your court. Will you trust the science?