R Ranson1, G Stratton2, S R Taylor3. 1. Sport & Exercise Sciences, Glyndwr University, Wrexham LL11 2AW, UK. 2. Applied Sports Technology Exercise and Medicine Centre (A-STEM), Swansea University, Swansea, UK; School of Sport Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6160, Australia. 3. Sport & Exercise Sciences, Glyndwr University, Wrexham LL11 2AW, UK. Electronic address: s.taylor@glyndwr.ac.uk.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The relative lengths of the index finger to the ring finger (2D:4D) is sexually dimorphic and is thought to be a correlate of prenatal sex steroids (low 2D:4D=high prenatal testosterone and low prenatal oestrogen). In adults there have been reports that low 2D:4D is consistently associated with high sports performance. AIMS: To investigate correlations between 2D:4D and fitness levels in children. STUDY DESIGN: Right 2D:4D and body size were measured, in addition to flexibility, speed, endurance and strength (Eurofit tests). SUBJECTS: 922 boys and 835 girls (mean ages (years): 10.8 ± 1.01 and 10.07 ± 1.00 respectively). OUTCOME MEASURES: height, mass, BMI, triceps and subscapular skinfolds, 20 m shuttle run, sit and reach, standing broad jump, hand grip strength, 10 × 5m sprint, and the sit and reach test. RESULTS: Boys significantly outperformed the girls in the 10 × 5m sprints, the 20 m shuttle run, standing broad jump, and hand grip strength. In boys but not girls, 2D:4D was significantly negatively correlated with scores in all these tests except the standing broad jump. In girls but not boys, 2D:4D was significantly positively correlated to stature, mass, BMI and waist circumference. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that high prenatal testosterone and low prenatal oestrogen (low 2D:4D) is implicated in high sprinting speed, endurance and hand grip strength in boys. In girls low prenatal testosterone and high prenatal oestrogen is associated with large body size.
BACKGROUND: The relative lengths of the index finger to the ring finger (2D:4D) is sexually dimorphic and is thought to be a correlate of prenatal sex steroids (low 2D:4D=high prenatal testosterone and low prenatal oestrogen). In adults there have been reports that low 2D:4D is consistently associated with high sports performance. AIMS: To investigate correlations between 2D:4D and fitness levels in children. STUDY DESIGN: Right 2D:4D and body size were measured, in addition to flexibility, speed, endurance and strength (Eurofit tests). SUBJECTS: 922 boys and 835 girls (mean ages (years): 10.8 ± 1.01 and 10.07 ± 1.00 respectively). OUTCOME MEASURES: height, mass, BMI, triceps and subscapular skinfolds, 20 m shuttle run, sit and reach, standing broad jump, hand grip strength, 10 × 5m sprint, and the sit and reach test. RESULTS:Boys significantly outperformed the girls in the 10 × 5m sprints, the 20 m shuttle run, standing broad jump, and hand grip strength. In boys but not girls, 2D:4D was significantly negatively correlated with scores in all these tests except the standing broad jump. In girls but not boys, 2D:4D was significantly positively correlated to stature, mass, BMI and waist circumference. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that high prenatal testosterone and low prenatal oestrogen (low 2D:4D) is implicated in high sprinting speed, endurance and hand grip strength in boys. In girls low prenatal testosterone and high prenatal oestrogen is associated with large body size.
Authors: Krzysztof Graff; Ewa Szczerbik; Małgorzata Kalinowska; Katarzyna Kaczmarczyk; Agnieszka Stępień; Małgorzata Syczewska Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-04-11 Impact factor: 4.614