Trans women athletes possess multiple physiological advantages over biological females even after they transition medically, Government-published research suggests.

A major review quietly re-shared by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) last August suggests that early exposure to testosterone means trans women possess at least eight physical and mental attributes that could give them an advantage in sports — even if they make the change relatively early.

Findings showed trans women had greater muscle mass and bone density, which aid strength, power and durability, plus bigger lungs and higher oxygen levels, which help with endurance, as well as increased connections in the brain responsible for spatial awareness, which could help with agility.

The research, by experts from the University of Otago in New Zealand, concluded: ‘The former male physiology of trans women athletes provides them with a physiological advantage over the cis-female athlete.’ The paper adds: ‘The inclusion of trans women in the elite female division needs to be reconsidered for fairness to female-born athletes.’