Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

Finger Length Ratio (2D:4D) Correlates with Serum Testosterone and Athleticism in Women


Affiliations
1 Department of Physical Education, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, Haryana, India
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


Fetal and adult testosterone may be vital in the establishment and maintenance of sex-dependent abilities associated with physical competitiveness. Researches has demonstrated that finger ratio (2D:4D) is negatively correlated with prenatal testosterone and traits beneficial to athleticism. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships of digit ratio and serum free testosterone (FT) and total testosterone (TT) in non sportswomen and sportswomen, which entail specific physiological, psychological and physical compositions. Digital finger ratio (2D:4D) of right hand (RH), left (LH) and serum testosterone (FT & TT) were measured in sportswomen (N - 129 & age - 21.2±1.33) and non sports women (N - 158 & age - 20.2±1.11). A significant difference (RH F ratio - 4.06; p<0.001&LH F ratio - 3.29; p<0.001) in the finger ratios were found between sportswomen and non sportswomen. Serum concentrations of free and total testosterones were significantly (P<0.001) higher in the sports women (FT Mean - 2.26 pg/ml & TT Mean - 22.21ng/dl) then non sports women (FT Mean - 1.45 pg/ ml & TT Mean - 14.25 ng/dl). A significant negative relationship (FT p<0.05 & TT p<0.01) between serum testosterones and digital finger ratio (2d:4D) were found in the both groups of females. This research extends related evidence that the 2D:4D ratio may help in indicating potential athleticism or competition-level achievement in the females.

Keywords

Prenatal Testosterone, Free Testosterones, Total Testosterones, Digital Finger Ratio
Subscription Login to verify subscription
User
Notifications
Font Size


  • Manning, J.T., Scutt, D., Wilson, J. and Lewis- Jones, D.I. The ratio of 2nd to 4th digit length: A predictor of sperm numbers and concentrations of testosterone, lutenizinghormones and oestrogen, Hum. Repro. 1998. 13, 3000-3004.

  • Hönekopp, J., Manning, J.T., & Muller, C. Digit ratio (2D:4D) and physical fitness in males and females: Evidence for e_ects of prenatal androgens on sexually selected traits

  • Kondo T, Zakany J, Innis J, & Duboule D. Of fingers, toes and penises. Nature.1997.390:29.

  • Mortlock DP & Innis JW. Mutation of Hoxa 13 in hand– foot– genital syndrome. Nat Genet. 1997. 15:179–180.

  • García-Cruz E, Huguet J, Piqueras M, Ribal MJ, Alcaraz A. Second to fourth digit ratio, adult testosterone level and testosterone deficiency. BJU Int. 2011 May 18. doi: 10.1111/j.1464- 410X.2011.10249.x. [Epub ahead of print]

  • Manning JT.The ratio of 2nd to 4th digit length and performance in skiing. J Sports Med Phys Fitness.2002. Dec;42(4):446-450.

  • Manning, J.T., Taylor, R.P. Second to fourth digit ratio and male ability in sport: implications for sexual selection in humans. Evol. Hum Beha, 2001. 22, 61–69.

  • Manning JT.The ratio of 2nd to 4th digit length and performance in skiing. J Sports Med Phys Fitness.2002. Dec;42(4):446-450.

  • Manning JT, Morris L & Caswell N. Endurance running and digit ratio (2D:4D): implications for fetal testosterone effects on running speed and vascular health.Am J Hum Biol. . 2009a. May- Jun;19(3):416-421.

  • Manning JT & Hill MR.Digit ratio (2D:4D) and sprinting speed in boys. Am J Hum Biol. 2009b. Mar-Apr;21(2):210-213.

  • Bennett M, Manning JT, Cook CJ, & Kilduff LP Digit ratio (2D:4D) and performance in elite rugby players. J Sports Sci. 2010. Nov;28(13):1415-1421.

  • Longman D, Stock JT & Wells JC. Digit ratio (2D:4D) and rowing ergometer performance in males and females. Am J Phys Anthropol. 2011 Jan 4. [Epub ahead of print].

  • Voracek M, Dressler SG & Manning JT. Evidence for assortative mating on digit ratio (2D:4D), a biomarker for prenatal androgen exposure. J Biosoc Sci 2006. Jul;39(4):599-612.

  • Manning J.T. Fluctuating asymmetry and bodyweight in men and women: implication of sexual selection. Ethol. Sociobiol. (1995)16,145- 152.

  • Scutt D. & Manning J.T. Symmetry and ovulation in women. Hum. Reprod. (1996)11.2477-2780.

  • Pokrywka L, RachoD´ D, Suchecka-RachoD´ K & Bitel L.. The second to fourth digit ratio in elite and non-elite female athletes. Am J Hum Biol. 2005.Nov-Dec;17(6):796-800.

  • Hönekopp, J., Manning, J.T., & Muller, C. Digit ratio (2D:4D) and physical fitness in males and females: Evidence for e_ects of prenatal androgens on sexually selected traits, Hormo.Beh. 2006. 49, 545-549.

  • Voracek M, Dressler SG & Manning JT. Evidence for assortative mating on digit ratio (2D:4D), a biomarker for prenatal androgen exposure. J Biosoc Sci 2006. Jul;39(4):599-612.

  • Voracek M, Reimer B & Dressler SG. Digit ratio (2D:4D) predicts sporting success among female fencers independent from physical, experience, and personality factors. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2010. Dec;20(6):853-60.

  • Bennett M, Manning JT, Cook CJ, & Kilduff LP Digit ratio (2D:4D) and performance in elite rugby players. J Sports Sci. 2010. Nov;28(13):1415-1421.

  • Malik A. & Malik S . Digital finger ratio (2d:4d): An indicator of serum testosterone and prenatal programming of specific sports. Int. J Sports Sci Fit . 2011 Feb. Vol. 1(1) , 26-28.

  • Longman D, Stock JT & Wells JC. Digit ratio (2D:4D) and rowing ergometer performance in males and females. Am J Phys Anthropol. 2011 Jan 4. [Epub ahead of print]

  • Malik A. digital finger ratio: A potential predictor of sporting ability. Int.J Sports Sci Phy Ed. 2011b, Jan. Vol 2(1). 31-36.

  • Manning, J. T., Bundred, P. E., Newton, D. J., & Flanagan, B. F. (2003). The second to fourth digit ratio and variation in the androgen receptor gene. Evolution and Human Behavior, 24, 399–405.

  • Sakai, L. M., Baker, L. A., Jacklin, C. N., and Shulman, L. Sex steroids at birth: Genetic and environmental variation and covariation. Dev. Psychobiol. (1991). 24, 559–570.

  • Marcus, J., Maccoby, E. E., Jacklin, C. N., & Doering, C. H. Individual differences in mood in early childhood: Their relation to gender and neonatal sex steroids. Dev. Psychobiol. 1985. 18, 327–340.

  • Couwenbergs, C., Knussmann, R., & Christiansen, K. Comparisons of the intra- and inter-individual variability in sex hormone levels of men. Ann. Hum. Biol. (1986). 13, 63–72.


Abstract Views: 366

PDF Views: 0




  • Finger Length Ratio (2D:4D) Correlates with Serum Testosterone and Athleticism in Women

Abstract Views: 366  |  PDF Views: 0

Authors

Arvind Malik
Department of Physical Education, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, Haryana, India

Abstract


Fetal and adult testosterone may be vital in the establishment and maintenance of sex-dependent abilities associated with physical competitiveness. Researches has demonstrated that finger ratio (2D:4D) is negatively correlated with prenatal testosterone and traits beneficial to athleticism. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships of digit ratio and serum free testosterone (FT) and total testosterone (TT) in non sportswomen and sportswomen, which entail specific physiological, psychological and physical compositions. Digital finger ratio (2D:4D) of right hand (RH), left (LH) and serum testosterone (FT & TT) were measured in sportswomen (N - 129 & age - 21.2±1.33) and non sports women (N - 158 & age - 20.2±1.11). A significant difference (RH F ratio - 4.06; p<0.001&LH F ratio - 3.29; p<0.001) in the finger ratios were found between sportswomen and non sportswomen. Serum concentrations of free and total testosterones were significantly (P<0.001) higher in the sports women (FT Mean - 2.26 pg/ml & TT Mean - 22.21ng/dl) then non sports women (FT Mean - 1.45 pg/ ml & TT Mean - 14.25 ng/dl). A significant negative relationship (FT p<0.05 & TT p<0.01) between serum testosterones and digital finger ratio (2d:4D) were found in the both groups of females. This research extends related evidence that the 2D:4D ratio may help in indicating potential athleticism or competition-level achievement in the females.

Keywords


Prenatal Testosterone, Free Testosterones, Total Testosterones, Digital Finger Ratio

References