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A number of news outlets are carrying this story: Finger Length Predicts Sports Prowess
Quote:
Wondering whether your daughter will excel at sports? Check out her fingers.
British researchers report women whose ring finger is longer than their index finger are more likely to have exceptional athletic ability, especially in tennis, soccer and running.
The study is based on finger measurements taken in both the right and left hands of around 600 female twins. The women were also asked to report their highest level of achievement in various sports.
Previous studies conducted mostly in men have also linked a longer ring finger to higher sports ability. Longer ring fingers have also been associated with intelligence, musical talent, certain diseases and certain personality traits. Most of these studies have chalked the finding up to exposure to the male hormone testosterone in the womb, noting men typically have longer ring fingers, while women usually have ring fingers that are shorter than their index fingers or about the same length.
Objectives The second to fourth finger length ratio (2d:4d) is thought to be related to diverse traits including cognitive ability, disease susceptibility, and sexuality. Our aim was to examine the relationship between 2d:4d and sports ability in females.
Methods Hand X-rays from 607 females (mean age of 54 years) were used to estimate 2d:4d. Ranking of sports ability level was on a scale (1-5).
Results The highest achieved level of participation in any sport was significantly negatively associated with 2d:4d (b= -4.93, p=0.01) as was the relationship between 2d:4d and running level (b = -6.81, p = 0.034). Ability in other sports also demonstrated negative relationships albeit non-significant.
Conclusions These results suggest 2d:4d is related to female sports ability. We postulate that 2d:4d may predict potential sports ability. Understanding the mechanisms underpinning this relationship may give important insights into musculoskeletal fitness, health and disease.
Interesting articles thanks for sharing. My 2nd and 4th fingers seem to be the same length. Maybe THAT is why I never really excelled in tennis, soccer, or running :)
Finger Length Predicts Sports Prowess
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