TY - JOUR
T1 - Digit ratio (2D:4D) and performance in elite rugby players
AU - Bennett, M.
AU - Manning, J. T.
AU - Cook, C. J.
AU - Kilduff, L. P.
PY - 2010/11
Y1 - 2010/11
N2 - The relative length of the second and fourth digits (2D:4D) is a putative marker for prenatal testosterone. Low 2D:4D has been reported to correlate with high performance in sport in general. Here, for the first time, we examine the relationship between 2D:4D and performance in elite rugby players. The 44 players (28 forwards, 16 backs) were drawn from the Ospreys Rugby Union Club and 44 age-matched controls. The measures of performance comprised age-adjusted number of international performances (caps) for Wales, a comparison of coaches' first-choice League team with others, and the number of tries scored by backs in club matches. Compared with controls, players were larger and had lower 2D:4D for the right and left hand. With regard to number of caps, players with low 2D:4D in their right hand and low right 2D:4D compared with their left (right-left 2D:4D difference) had high numbers of caps. First-choice players did not differ significantly from second-choice players in their 2D:4D but they did have a lower right-left 2D:4D difference than second-choice players. Low right 2D:4D and low right-left 2D:4D difference were significantly linked with large numbers of tries. We conclude that low right 2D:4D and low right-left 2D:4D difference are predictors of high rugby performance.
AB - The relative length of the second and fourth digits (2D:4D) is a putative marker for prenatal testosterone. Low 2D:4D has been reported to correlate with high performance in sport in general. Here, for the first time, we examine the relationship between 2D:4D and performance in elite rugby players. The 44 players (28 forwards, 16 backs) were drawn from the Ospreys Rugby Union Club and 44 age-matched controls. The measures of performance comprised age-adjusted number of international performances (caps) for Wales, a comparison of coaches' first-choice League team with others, and the number of tries scored by backs in club matches. Compared with controls, players were larger and had lower 2D:4D for the right and left hand. With regard to number of caps, players with low 2D:4D in their right hand and low right 2D:4D compared with their left (right-left 2D:4D difference) had high numbers of caps. First-choice players did not differ significantly from second-choice players in their 2D:4D but they did have a lower right-left 2D:4D difference than second-choice players. Low right 2D:4D and low right-left 2D:4D difference were significantly linked with large numbers of tries. We conclude that low right 2D:4D and low right-left 2D:4D difference are predictors of high rugby performance.
KW - international rugby players
KW - performance predictor
KW - Prenatal testosterone
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=78149263129&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2010.510143
U2 - 10.1080/02640414.2010.510143
DO - 10.1080/02640414.2010.510143
M3 - Article
SN - 0264-0414
VL - 28
SP - 1415
EP - 1421
JO - Journal of Sports Sciences
JF - Journal of Sports Sciences
IS - 13
ER -