Sexual selection in human evolution is well-established. Females are relatively more inclined than males to prefer mates that exhibit physical and social dominance (e.g., muscular, financially successful men); whereas males are relatively more inclined than females to seek mates displaying signs of high reproductive potential (e.g., young, attractive women). Given that physical training has the potential to improve traits related to sexual selection in both males and females, we examined if exercise habits altered assessments of mate value in a cross-sectional analysis of 265 undergraduate students. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, an “Exercise Habits Inventory,” and a “Mate Value Inventory” for the assessment of the characteristics desired in their “ideal” mates and for self-perceptions of intrinsic mate value. Consistent with prior research, females preferred mates who were independent and generous, and both males and females preferred physically attractive mates. Females, independent of exercise frequency, were more selective than males as evidenced by a desire for “ideal” partners with a significantly higher mate value. Moreover, more frequent exercisers, independent of sex, had significantly higher self-perceived mate value than less frequent exercisers. Finally, a pattern consistent with theories of assortative mating was demonstrated via a significant positive relation between self-perceptions and the mate value of “ideal” partners.

人类进化中的性别选择是公认的。与男性相比，女性比男性更倾向于表现出身体和社会优势的伴侣（例如，肌肉发达，经济上成功的男性）；而男性比女性更倾向于寻找表现出高繁殖潜力的伴侣（例如，年轻，有魅力的女性）。鉴于体育锻炼有可能改善男性和女性与性选择相关的特质，我们在265名大学生的横断面分析中研究了运动习惯是否改变了伴侣价值的评估。参与者完成了一份人口统计学问卷，“运动习惯清单”和“伴侣价值清单”，以评估其“理想”伴侣所期望的特征以及对内在伴侣价值的自我认知。与先前的研究一致，女性更喜欢独立且大方的伴侣，男性和女性都更喜欢身体上有吸引力的伴侣。与运动频率无关的女性比男性具有更高的选择性，这表现为对伴侣价值更高的“理想”伴侣的渴望所证明。此外，与不经常运动的人相比，更经常运动的人（与性别无关）具有更高的自我认知伴侣价值。最后，通过自我意识与“理想”伴侣的配偶价值之间的显着正相关，证明了一种与分类交配理论相一致的模式。对雄性的选择比雄性要强，这表现为对伴侣价值更高的“理想”伴侣的渴望所证明。此外，与不经常运动的人相比，更经常运动的人（与性别无关）具有更高的自我认知伴侣价值。最后，通过自我意识与“理想”伴侣的配偶价值之间的显着正相关，证明了一种与分类交配理论相一致的模式。对雄性的选择比雄性要强，这表现为对伴侣价值更高的“理想”伴侣的渴望所证明。此外，较频繁的锻炼者，与性别无关，其自我感知的伴侣价值显着高于不那么频繁的锻炼者。最后，通过自我意识与“理想”伴侣的配偶价值之间的显着正相关，证明了一种与分类交配理论相一致的模式。