The Relationship Between Physical Fitness Levels and Digit Ratio (2D:4D) of High School Students Engaged Actively in Sports

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the association between physical fitness and 2D:4D finger ratio of high school students engaged actively in sports. 23 licensed male athletes and 23 sedentary (n=46) high school students participated in the study voluntarily. The participants age, body weight, body mass index, 2D:4D finger measurement values were recorded and 20 meter shuttle run, 30 meter sprint, sit and reach test, standing long jump and hand grip strength tests were applied on the participants. The data obtained were assessed in SPSS 21 program and the results were assessed at p˂0.05 significance level. While the average age of athletes was 15.82±1.11 years, the average age of sedentary group was 15.13±0.96 years. While statistically significant difference was found between sedentary and athlete groups in terms of VO₂max, right and left hand grip strength and long jump average values (p<0.05), no statistically significant difference was found between speed and flexibility measurement results (p>0.05). When the 2D:4D averages of sedentary and athlete groups were compared, statistically significant difference was found between right hand averages (p<0.05). When right and left hand 2D:4D was compared, no statistically significant difference was found in sedentary group (p>0.05), while significant difference was found in athletes (p<0.05). Statistically significant difference was found between 2D:4D averages of both hands with all physical fitness parameters (p<0.05). In the present study, finger ratio of the groups were found to be associated with some motoric and functional dominance parameters.