Digit ratio (2D:4D) and physical fitness (Eurofit test battery) in school children. Issue 5 (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ranson, R.; Stratton, G.; Taylor, S.R.
• Is Part Of: Early human development. Volume 91:Issue 5(2015)
• Page Start: 327
• Page End: 331
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: Fetus -- Periodicals; Neonatology -- Periodicals; Prenatal influences -- Periodicals; 612.65
• DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2015.03.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0378-3782

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="author" id="ab0005"> <title id="st0005">Abstract</title> <sec> <title id="st0010">Background</title> <p id="sp0005">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.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st0015">Aims</title> <p id="sp0010">To investigate correlations between 2D:4D and fitness levels in children.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st0020">Study design</title> <p id="sp0015">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 × 5 m sprint, and the sit and reach test.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st0025">Results</title> <p id="sp0020">Boys significantly outperformed the girls in the 10 × 5 m 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.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st0030">Conclusions</title> <p id="sp0025">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.</p> </sec> </abstract>