SPORTS PREFERENCE AND DIGIT RATIO (2D:4D) AMONG FEMALE STUDENTS IN WROCŁAW, POLAND

What is it about?

Humans exhibit sex differences in competitiveness, sensation seeking and risk-taking attitude. These qualities are very often required to perform better in sports. There is scientific evidence that these attributes are linked to exposure to testosterone (PT) of a human being while being inside mother's womb before birth. The ratio of the length of second finger to fourth finger (digit) or 2D:4D is an indicator of this PT exposure. A lower value of 2D:4D indicates higher PT exposure and vice versa. Males generally have a lower 2D:4D than females. On the other hand, higher sensation- and/or thrill-seeking behaviours have also been found to be associated with lower 2D:4D. Boxing and judo are considered to be high-risk sports. Voluntary participation in judo/boxing in contrast to aerobics can be guided by such behaviours and thus have an association with lower 2D:4D. This study included 167 female students from a military academy in Wrocław, Poland. Of them, 119 had voluntarily chosen aerobic exercise, and 48 opted for judo/boxing. Height, weight and second and fourth digit lengths were measured. Physical fitness was assessed using Eurofit tests. The two groups had similar physical fitness and body size. However, the judo/boxing group had significantly lower mean 2D:4D values than the aerobics group. It is proposed that voluntary choice of participation in a sport discipline by women could be linked to the ‘organizational’ effect of intrauterine testosterone exposure on brain during prenatal growth. This effect may have a role in shaping behavioural aspects in later life of an individual.

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Why is it important?

Till date there was no such study differentiating digit length ratio (2D:4D) among group versus individual sports choice.

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