⬇️ Prefer to listen instead? ⬇️
- 🏋️ A study of 4,300 U.S. adults found that both stronger men and women reported a higher number of lifetime sexual partners.
- 💪 Strong men were more likely to be in long-term relationships, possibly due to perceived provider and protector roles.
- 👩🎓 Women’s strength was linked to more partners, challenging traditional sexual selection theories about male dominance.
- 🔬 The study presents correlation, not causation, meaning strength alone may not directly cause higher romantic success.
- 🌍 Cultural and modern dating trends may influence how strength impacts attraction across different societies.
The Link Between Physical Strength and Attraction
A recent study published in Evolution and Human Behavior sheds light on the relationship between physical strength and attraction. The findings suggest that both men and women with greater upper-body strength tend to have more sexual partners, and stronger men are more likely to be in committed relationships. This raises important questions about strength and relationships, challenging traditional ideas about attraction and success in mating.
The Evolutionary Basis of Strength and Attraction
From an evolutionary psychology viewpoint, physical strength has historically been an asset in survival and mate selection. For men, greater strength was likely advantageous in:
- Competing for mates by fending off rivals.
- Protecting families from threats.
- Hunting and acquiring resources to support a partner and offspring.
These traits made stronger men more desirable mating partners, leading to a greater likelihood of reproductive success. Traditional evolutionary theories hold that women, in turn, have been drawn to stronger men due to survival advantages they could provide.
However, this study introduces a new perspective—it looks not only at how male strength influences relationships, but also how female strength correlates with sexual and romantic success. This is a significant shift since strong men and women dating has not been deeply explored in prior research.
Study Findings: How Strength Affects Partner Counts and Relationships
Researchers analyzed 4,300 U.S. adults, measuring physical strength through handgrip tests, a commonly used indicator of upper-body strength. Participants provided self-reported data on their relationship status, total number of past sexual partners, and demographic background.
Key Discoveries from the Study
- Men with greater physical strength reported a higher number of lifetime sexual partners and were also more likely to be in committed relationships.
- Stronger women also had more sexual partners than their weaker counterparts—challenging traditional views on male versus female mating competition.
- The results suggest that strength in both sexes plays a role in mate selection, but possibly for different reasons.
Why Do Stronger Men Have More Partners and Relationships?
The study offers two primary theories on why stronger men tend to have more partners and be in long-term relationships:
1. Competition and Mate Selection Hypothesis
Historically, men have had to compete for mates, and stronger males may have succeeded in outcompeting weaker men. This competition could have led to:
- More mating opportunities as stronger men asserted dominance over rivals.
- Increased attractiveness due to perceived masculinity and fitness.
- Higher reproductive success, as stronger men were seen as physically capable protectors.
2. The Provider and Protector Hypothesis
Another explanation is that strong men are seen as protectors or providers, enhancing their appeal in long-term partnerships. Key traits associated with stronger men include:
- A higher perceived ability to offer security and stability.
- A psychological association between strength and leadership.
- The assumption that better physical health correlates to better life stability.
Women—on both biological and psychological levels—might naturally find physically strong men attractive, especially in contexts where strength equates to safety or provision.
Why Strong Women Also Have More Sexual Partners
One of the most unexpected findings from the study was that stronger women also reported more lifetime sexual partners. This contrasts with previous theories that often suggested physical attributes played a stronger role for men than women in mating success.
Here are three possible explanations:
1. The Selectivity Hypothesis
Stronger women may have higher confidence and greater selectivity when choosing partners. Rather than settling quickly, they might:
- Engage in more short-term relationships before committing to a long-term partner.
- Reject partners who do not meet their standards, leading to an accumulation of more experiences over time.
2. Partner Matching Hypothesis
There may be a tendency for strong women to be drawn to strong men, whether consciously or subconsciously. Since strong men tend to have more partners, this could naturally increase the partner count among strong women as well.
3. Social and Activity Hypothesis
Stronger women might be:
- More engaged in social activities that create increased dating opportunities (such as athletics, gym culture, etc.).
- More involved in physical lifestyles that increase their chances of meeting potential partners.
While strength may contribute to romantic success, it’s unclear whether strength itself or the personality/lifestyle benefits tied to strength are responsible.
Is Strength a Direct Cause of Romantic Success?
One limitation of the study is that it only shows correlation, not causation. Possible alternative explanations include:
- Confidence: Stronger individuals may have higher self-esteem, making them more socially dominant.
- Social Influence: Strength may be associated with higher status, drawing more romantic attention.
- Genetics and Hormones: Differences in testosterone levels or other biological factors could explain both strength and mating success.
Without controlled experiments, we cannot say with certainty whether becoming physically stronger directly causes greater romantic success.
Cultural and Modern Dating Influences on Strength and Relationships
The role of strength in relationships isn’t universal—it likely varies based on:
- Cultural Expectations: In societies where traditional gender roles persist, strength may be more closely linked to attraction.
- Technological Advances: In modern dating, where traits like intelligence, income, or status are displayed digitally, does physical strength still play the same role?
- Shifting Gender Norms: With evolving perceptions of masculinity and femininity, are strength-based preferences changing?
Some studies suggest that personality traits (such as humor, kindness, and ambition) are becoming as important as—or even more important than—physical attributes in modern relationships.
Limitations and Future Research Opportunities
Despite its substantial dataset, this study has some limitations:
- Self-Reported Data: People may exaggerate (or underestimate) their number of partners.
- No Hormonal Analysis: The study doesn’t incorporate information about testosterone levels, which could affect mating success.
- Limited to U.S. Participants: More cross-cultural research is needed to see if the pattern exists worldwide.
Future studies should investigate:
- Whether actively increasing strength (through weight training, for example) leads to greater dating success.
- How other personality and lifestyle factors—beyond strength—affect mate selection.
Key Takeaways
- Physical strength correlates with increased romantic and sexual opportunities, but the precise reasons remain complex.
- Men’s strength is more clearly linked to long-term relationships, while women’s strength shows a more nuanced effect.
- While strength may help with attraction, confidence, social skills, and personality remain key in relationships.
The study provides compelling evidence that physical strength and attraction are intertwined, with both men and women who possess greater strength reporting more sexual partners. However, it remains unclear whether strength itself causes increased romantic success or if other personality, social, or biological factors play a larger role.
Ultimately, while physical strength can be a factor in attraction, deeper connections are built on emotional, psychological, and social compatibility. What do you think? Has strength played a role in your relationships?
FAQs
What does the latest research say about the link between strength and romantic success?
A study in Evolution and Human Behavior found that men and women with higher upper-body strength reported more lifetime sexual partners, and stronger men were more likely to be in long-term relationships.
How do evolutionary theories explain the link between physical strength and attraction?
Evolutionary theories suggest that strength in men historically provided advantages in mate competition and survival, while its role in women is less understood.
Why do stronger women also report a higher number of partners?
Possible reasons include higher selectivity, attraction to stronger partners, and more active social lifestyles that increase mating opportunities.
Citations
- Smith & Hagen (2024). Evolution and Human Behavior.
- PsyPost (2024). Evolutionary Psychology Study.
