A Relationship between 2nd to 4th Digit Length Ratio and Aggression Related-Sports Entries Characteristics in Female Athletics of Korean National Teams

Shin, A Young; Lee, Yu Sang; Chae, Jeong Ho

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The 2nd to 4th digit length ratio(2D : 4D) is a sexually dimorphic trait regardless of ethnicity and shows sex differences. According to previous research, men usually have a relatively shorter 2nd digit than 4th digit. There is tendency that men with lower 2D : 4D are perceived as being more masculine and tend to perform better in some physical sports. Furthermore, 2D : 4D is negatively associated with trait aggression. In this study, we examine gender difference of 2D : 4D and compare 2D : 4D of female Korean national team members to 2D : 4D of control subjects. Besides that, we also compare 2D : 4D of female Korean national team members according to their sports entries.
METHODS
The sample of this study is 396 people, 67 female Korean national team member, 216 control women and 113 control men. We measured 2nd to 4th digit length of their right hand. In addition, we collected demographic information of female Korean national team members using a self-report questionnaire.
RESULTS
The mean 2D : 4D of female Korean national team members is 0.96(SD=0.04), smaller than control women's 2D : 4D(0.97, SD=0.03) and significantly higher than control men's 2D : 4D(0.95, SD=0.03). We also found differences between control men and women. Non-martial arts related sports athletes have significant difference with control men in 2D : 4D. However, martial arts related sports athletes' 2D : 4D is not significantly different from other groups, including control men.
CONCLUSION
These results are consistent with the findings of previous research that there is a significant difference between men and women in their 2D : 4D. Furthermore, 2D : 4D of martial arts related sports athletes have not shown any difference from the 2D : 4D of control men that 2D : 4D of non-martial arts related athletes have shown. This fact is important in consideration of masculine characteristics. For further research, it is necessary to examine 2D : 4D difference according to sport ability and gender differences.