title: SPORTS PREFERENCE AND DIGIT RATIO (2D:4D) AMONG FEMALE STUDENTS IN WROCŁAW, POLAND.
abstract: Humans exhibit sex differences in competitiveness, sensation seeking and risk-taking attitude, which are required in sports. These attributes are often linked to prenatal testosterone (PT) exposure. The second-to-fourth digit length ratio (2D:4D) is an indicator of PT exposure. A lower 2D:4D indicates higher PT exposure and vice versa. Males generally have a lower 2D:4D than females. Sensation- and/or thrill-seeking behaviours have also been found to be negatively associated with 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 cross-sectional 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 showed 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 during prenatal growth.
authors.affiliation: *General Tadeusz Kuściuszko Military Academy of Land Forces,Wrocław,Poland.
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kociuba
authors.affiliation: †Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy,Polish Academy of Sciences,Wrocław,Poland.
authors.forename: Slawomir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kozieł
authors.affiliation: ‡Department of Anthropology,Dinabandhu Mahavidyalaya,Bongaon,West Bengal,India.
authors.forename: Raja
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chakraborty
authors.affiliation: §Faculty of Physical Education,University School of Physical Education in Wrocław,Wrocław,Poland.
authors.forename: Zofia
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ignasiak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001914:Boxing / Q000523:psychology; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology; D005106:Exploratory Behavior; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016139:Martial Arts / Q000523:psychology; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011044:Poland; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013177:Sports / Q000523:psychology*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone