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Anthropometric Digit Ratio 2D:4D and Athletic Performance

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Handbook of Anthropometry

Abstract

2D:4D (the length of the second finger divided by the length of the fourth finger) appears to be a marker of prenatal testosterone levels, with lower 2D:4D indicating higher prenatal testosterone. 2D:4D has become a prominent tool for studying potential effects of prenatal testosterone on human development and behavior. Athletic performance is positively affected by circulating testosterone ­levels; similarly, prenatal testosterone may have a positive effect on athletic performance. In order to investigate this possibility, I here review studies on the relationship between 2D:4D and athletic ­performance. In line with expectations, most studies found a negative relationship between 2D:4D and various measures of athletic performance in either sex. There is some evidence that 2D:4D shows stronger relationships with measures of endurance than with measures of strength. This suggests that prenatal testosterone promotes some components of physical fitness more than others.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, UK

    Johannes Hönekopp

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  1. Johannes Hönekopp
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Correspondence to Johannes Hönekopp .

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  1. Dept. Nutrition & Dietetics, King's College, Stamford St. 150, London, SE1 9NH, United Kingdom

    Victor R. Preedy

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Hönekopp, J. (2012). Anthropometric Digit Ratio 2D:4D and Athletic Performance. In: Preedy, V. (eds) Handbook of Anthropometry. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1788-1_113

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1788-1_113

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  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-1787-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-1788-1

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