11 July 2007: Mixed Messages for Muscular Men

New research just published aims to help us understand what women look for in men.

Studies have previously shown that, when selecting a mate, women choose men who will commit and who have a good income. But a new study shows that, for a fling, they prefer muscles.

Researchers from the University of California interviewed students about their sexual histories, and found that muscular men had more sex partners than less-built types. But women also saw them as more volatile, aggressive and likely to be dominant.

"On the one hand, muscularity makes them more sexy to women. On the other hand, it makes women more suspicious about their romantic intentions," the researchers concluded.