Relationships between digit ratio (2D:4D) and female competitive rowing performance.

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Human Biology
• Anthropometry

Background:

• Digit ratio (2D:4D) is a marker of prenatal testosterone exposure.
• Existing research shows a weak-to-moderate association between 2D:4D and physical performance, stronger in males.
• The relationship in female athletes, particularly in specific sports, requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between 2D:4D and on-water rowing performance in elite young female rowers.
• To assess 2D:4D as a predictor of rowing race times in this cohort.

Main Methods:

• Observational, cross-sectional study of 69 female rowers (aged 12-30) at the Australian Rowing Championships.
• Collected anthropometric measurements, including 2D:4D ratios.
• Analyzed relationships between 2D:4D and race times using correlation and regression analyses, including Partial Least Squares.

Main Results:

• A positive correlation was observed between 2D:4D and race time; lower 2D:4D was associated with faster times.
• The correlation strength varied by age group: weak-to-moderate overall, moderate-to-strong in senior rowers (≥20 years), and weak in junior rowers (<20 years).
• 2D:4D demonstrated significant predictive importance for race time relative to other body dimensions.

Conclusions:

• Lower 2D:4D ratios in females are linked to substantially faster rowing performance.
• The 2D:4D ratio may reflect underlying physiological characteristics optimized for rowing excellence.
• This study highlights the potential role of prenatal hormone exposure in elite female athletic performance.