Which option correctly matches the average leanness ranges for both male and female athletes?

Which option correctly matches the average leanness ranges for both male and female athletes?

• A. Males 14-17%, Females 21-25%
• B. Males 18-22%, Females 26-30%
• C. Males 14-17%, Females 26-30%
• D. Males 18-22%, Females 21-25%

Answer: (A)

Average leanness for athletes is represented by lean body fat ranges that differ by sex, with men typically carrying less fat than women. In standard CSCS normative values, a lean, athletic range is about 14-17% for men and about 21-25% for women. This pairing reflects how body composition tends to differ between sexes while still staying within healthy, performance-supporting levels. The combination of 14-17% for men and 21-25% for women best matches this common pattern. Other ranges either push the male value higher than the lean athletic level or place the female value into a less lean category, so they don’t align with the typical average-leanness standard.

Average leanness for athletes is represented by lean body fat ranges that differ by sex, with men typically carrying less fat than women. In standard CSCS normative values, a lean, athletic range is about 14-17% for men and about 21-25% for women. This pairing reflects how body composition tends to differ between sexes while still staying within healthy, performance-supporting levels. The combination of 14-17% for men and 21-25% for women best matches this common pattern. Other ranges either push the male value higher than the lean athletic level or place the female value into a less lean category, so they don’t align with the typical average-leanness standard.