Anthropometric digit ratio 2D: 4D and athletic performance

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.