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The association between athleticism, prenatal testosterone, and finger length
1Department of Kinesiology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. moffitd@temple.edu
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
|August 25, 2010
Summary
The study found that the second digit to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) may indicate athletic potential, with significant differences observed between athletes in specific sports like football and gymnastics compared to non-athletes and crew athletes.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Human Biology
- Behavioral Endocrinology
Background:
- Prenatal testosterone levels influence traits linked to athletic performance.
- The second digit to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) in males correlates with athletic success, particularly in football (soccer).
- The 2D:4D ratio is proposed as a potential marker for athletic attainment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between the 2D:4D ratio and athletic participation across different sports.
- To compare the 2D:4D ratios of athletes in various sports with those of non-athletes.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study using a posttest-only design.
- Participants included 138 male volunteers: 92 NCAA Division I athletes (crew, football, gymnastics, soccer) and 46 non-athletes.
- The second digit to fourth digit (2D:4D) ratio was measured as the dependent variable, with sport group as the independent variable.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in 2D:4D ratio was found between the overall athlete group and non-athletes (p = 0.182).
- Significant differences in 2D:4D ratios were observed among the different sport groups (p = 0.000).
- Specifically, lower 2D:4D ratios were found in football and gymnastics compared to crew, and in football compared to non-athletes.
Conclusions:
- The 2D:4D ratio may serve as an indicator of athletic potential and competition-level achievement, particularly in specific sports.
- Findings suggest that the 2D:4D ratio's predictive value for athleticism might be sport-specific.
- Further research is needed to explore the external validity of the 2D:4D ratio across a broader range of athletic disciplines.
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