title: The left hand second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) is not related to any physical fitness component in adolescent girls.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The second to fourth-digit-ratio (2D:4D), a putative marker of prenatal androgen action and a sexually dimorphic trait, has been suggested to be related with fitness and sports performance, although results are not univocal. Most studies however focus on a single aspect of physical fitness or one sports discipline.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study the 2D:4D ratio of 178 adolescent girls (age 13.5-18 y) was measured on X-rays of the left hand. The relation between 2D:4D digit ratio and multiple aspects of physical fitness (balance, speed of limb movement, flexibility, explosive strength, static strength, trunk strength, functional strength, running speed/agility, and endurance) was studied by correlation analyses and stepwise multiple regression. For comparison the relation between these physical fitness components and a selected number of objectively measured anthropometric traits (stature, mass, BMI, somatotype components and the Bayer & Bailey androgyny index) are presented alongside the results of 2D:4D digit ratio.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Left hand 2D:4D digit ratio (0.925±0.019) was not significantly correlated with any of the physical fitness components nor any of the anthropometric variables included in the present study. 2D:4D did not enter the multiple stepwise regression for any of the physical fitness components in which other anthropometric traits explained between 9.2% (flexibility) and 33.9% (static strength) of variance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Unlike other anthropometric traits the 2D:4D digit ratio does not seem to be related to any physical fitness component in adolescent girls and therefore most likely should not be considered in talent detection programs for sporting ability in girls.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. Maarten.Peeters@faber.kuleuven.be
authors.forename: Maarten W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Peeters
authors.forename: Katrijn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Van Aken
authors.forename: Albrecht L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Claessens
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000254:growth & development*; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006225:Hand / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009929:Organ Size; D010809:Physical Fitness; D019655:Quantitative Trait, Heritable; D012737:Sex Factors
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