GIRLS AND STRENGTH

" Measured in strength per square centimeter of cross-sectional area, the female muscle can achieve almost exactly the same maximal force of contraction as that of the male- between 3 and 4 KG/cm2. Therefore, most of the difference in total muscle performance lies in the extra percentage of the male body that is muscle, caused by endocrine differences".

Dr. Arthur C. Guyton and Dr. John E. Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology (10th edition).
Dr. Guyton has probably forgotten more on the topic of physiology than I know. He and Dr. Hall have worked on this book for at least the last 25 years. Anything in Science that is in a 10th edition is considered very good. What can be derived from this is women can benefit tremendously from weight training in development of explosiveness in a variety of sports. This includes basketball, soccer, tennis, softball, field hockey, various track and field events, swimming, etc.