This article is about the 2D:4D ratio in relation to physical fitness and it received a 'GOOD' on the assessment. This article was written during BBS1001 for the Scientific Writing course.
The 2D:4D digit ratio in relation to the physical fitness
Name
ID:
Tutorial group …
Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML)
Maastricht University
Course BBS1001
Date:
, Introduction gives to the relative hormone concentrations can
The 2D:4D ratio is a measure, which is often used be used to analyze its effect on the physical
to investigate whether the length of the index fitness in males and females. The aim of this
(2D) - and ring finger (4D) is linked to variability study is to investigate the various 2D:4D ratios of
in concentrations of fetal testosterone (FT) and first year’s biomedical students and analyze
fetal estrogen (FE). A study that was conducted whether there is a direct correlation between a
to investigate the relationship between the lower 2D:4D ratio and an increased ability of
2D:4D ratio and the concentrations of FT and FE physical fitness.
showed that there was a direct linkage between
the two measures [1]. The relative Materials and methods
concentrations of FT and FE can be identified by The study population that was used during
the 2D:4D ratio [1]. Higher levels of FT and lower this research were 339 first year biomedical
levels of FE are associated with a lower 2D:4D sciences students at the University of
ratio, hence the negative correlation between Maastricht, from which there were 119 males
the concentration of FT and the 2D:4D ratio [2], and 220 females. The means used to acquire
and the positive correlation between the the necessary information for conducting
concentration of FE and the 2D:4D ratio [3]. The research regarding the relationship between
2D:4D ratio is a sexually dimorphic trait, as it the 2D:4D ratio and physical fitness consisted
substantially differs when comparing males and of enquiring about personal data and the
females. The difference regarding the 2D:4D measuring of the 2nd and 4th digit of the right
ratio between sexes is facilitated by the hand. The personal data that was yielded from
difference in concentrations of FT and FE, which the conducted survey consisted of the
can affect the growth of the index- and ring finger person’s age, gender, amount of resistance
during fetal digit development [3]. The 2D:4D and endurance training in minutes per week,
ratio is affected since it is common in males to length of the right index, length of the ring
have a relatively shorter 2nd digit than 4th digit finger and the 2D:4D ratio. The survey that
than is the case in female digits [5], which results was used to record personal data from these
in a lower 2D:4D ratio in males compared to the students was not mandatory. This guaranteed
2D:4D ratio in females [4]. conscious decision-making, in which consent
was given to use this information for research
One of the most researched topics in sports is the purposes. The data from the enquiry that
variety of factors that play a role in the were of major importance for this research
differentiation of ability regarding physical were the gender and the duration/frequency
fitness. Athletic ability is a dimorphic trait, which of physical training. The measuring of the
is generally advantageous to the male gender [2]. 2D:4D ratio was performed by the students
The ability to engage in athletic events is themselves. Either a ruler or geometrical
influenced by various factors, one being the triangle was used to measure the length of the
concentration of testosterone. Testosterone is right-hand index- and ring finger. The two
likely to have beneficial effects on the brain and digits were independently measured in a
cardiovascular system and is therefore of straight line from the midway of base to the
favorable nature in males due to the higher top of the finger, in which the base of the
relative concentration of testosterone [2]. The finger is indicated as the crease located
2D:4D ratio is a biomarker for the concentration nearest to the palm of the hand. The data
of FT relative to the FE, and for that reason the regarding the duration of physical training and
use of the 2D:4D ratio seems plausible to be used the 2D:4D ratio were used to analyze a
as a marker for the relative FT and FE potential linkage between a low ratio and an
concentrations [1]. The link that the 2D:4D ratio increased participation in sports, which would
1
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