Similarly, positive correlations between the 2D:4D ratio and physical fitness ( 25), and sporting ability ( 26) have been demonstrated in women taking part in leisure sports. An association between the 2D:4D ratio and physical performance have been demonstrated in female athletes for alpine skiing ( 18), endurance running ( 22) fencing ( 23) and rowing ( 24). However, only a few previous studies have investigated the digit ratio in female athletes in comparison to controls ( 15, 19– 21). Previous studies have shown that male athletes have a lower 2D:4D ratio than non-athletes ( 15– 19). The digit ratio has also been suggested to be related to physical performance ( 13, 14). Furthermore, the 2D:4D ratio has been associated with Differences of Sex Development (DSD) ( 11, 12). The digit ratio, proposed as a sexually dimorphic trait ( 2, 8, 9), is believed to be set during the first trimester of fetal development ( 2, 10) and does not change substantially with age ( 9). However, this concept has recently been debated ( 4– 7). Prenatal testosterone and estrogen levels are suggested to influence the formation of the second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D ratio), with high environmental levels of androgens during fetal life being associated with a low 2D:4D ratio ( 1– 3). It is suggested that the 2D:4D ratio could reflect androgen metabolism and may be of importance for sporting success in female athletes. Furthermore, the 2D:4D ratio was related to urinary levels of androgen metabolites and physical performance in the athletes but not to serum androgen levels. Furthermore, the 2D:4D ratio correlated negatively with strength tests and positively with 3,000-meter running in the athletes.Ĭonclusion: Female Olympic athletes had a lower 2D:4D ratio, possibly reflecting a higher prenatal androgen exposure, than sedentary controls. The 2D:4D ratio correlated negatively with urinary levels of testosterone glucuronide and 5α- and 5βAdiol-17G, whereas there were no correlations to serum androgen levels. Results: The 2D:4D ratio was significantly lower in the athletes compared with controls although serum testosterone levels were comparable between groups and within normal reference values. The athletes performed standardized physical performance tests and body composition was established by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Serum androgens and urinary androgen metabolites were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The 2D:4D ratio was calculated using direct digit measurements. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 104 Swedish female Olympic athletes participating in power, endurance and technical sports and 117 sedentary controls. We aimed to compare the 2D:4D ratio in female Olympic athletes with sedentary controls, and to investigate the 2D:4D ratio in relation to serum and urinary androgens and physical performance in the athletes. Little is known about the role of the 2D:4D ratio in relation to serum and urinary androgens for physical performance in female athletes. 4Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Swedenīackground: The second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D ratio) is suggested to be a negative correlate of prenatal testosterone. ![]()
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