Article Type: Research Article

 

Article Citation: Muhammad Shahidul Islam, and Prof. Brajanath Kundu. (2020). LOW DIGIT RATIO (2D:4D) AND MASCULINE ATTRIBUTES: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS. International Journal of Research -GRANTHAALAYAH, 8(7), 384-390. https://doi.org/10.29121/granthaalayah.v8.i7.2020.773

 

Received Date: 15 July 2020

 

Accepted Date: 31 July 2020

 

Keywords:

Digit Ratio

Sporting Ability

Prenatal Testosterone

Ring Finger

Index Finger

Hormone

Masculinity
ABSTRACT

Background: The ratio between the length of the index finger (2D) concerning the length of the ring finger (4D) of a palm, which is noticed as second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D). However, the length ratio of the second digit (the index finger) to that of the fourth digit (the ring finger) probably shows the quantity of male hormone, to which an individual is exposed in the womb of the mother. Likewise, several investigations define that low second to fourth digit finger ratio tended to have related to prenatal testosterone hormone. Prenatal testosterone hormone masculinizes the human body and therefore may build the athletic body.

Aim: To review scientific literature related to the lower ratio of second to fourth digit ratio and masculinity.

Methods: The Researcher collected scientific evidence through electronic databases; PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, Google Advanced Search, Web of Science, and critically analyzed the entire relevant article according to the nature of this study.

Findings: The lower second to fourth digit ratio is associated with prenatal testosterone hormone and is also related to masculine traits that may help in sporting performance.

Conclusion: Masculine attributes may be linked to a lower digit finger ratio (2D:4D).

1.      INTRODUCTION

 

Second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) at the end of the first trimester of pregnancy (from week 1 to the end of week 12 of the pregnancy) is believed to be a biomarker of the balance between prenatal testosterone and prenatal estrogen hormone (Manning et al., 2014; Garn et al., 1975; Manning et al., 1998). There-after, the digit ratio (2D:4D) probably remain unchanged throughout life (Manning et al., 1998). However, Manning (2002) indicated that the digit ratio (2D:4D) was set particularly between weeks 8 and 12 at the end of the first trimester. The male fetuses produce large quantities of testosterone hormone, primarily from their testis. This influences the brain and other organ systems development. Generally in females the length of both fingers (index and ring finger) is usually about equal (digit ratio = 1.00), whereas in males the ring finger is usually slightly longer (digit ratio = 0.98): a tiny difference in sex (Manning, 2002).

During the gestation period, the ring fingers serve as a larger number of receptors for testosterone hormone. The ratio of index finger length (2D) to a palm’s ring finger length (4D) is known as a digit finger ratio (2D:4D). The length ratio of the second digit (the index finger) to the fourth digit (the ring finger) illustrates the number of male hormones, primarily testosterone that a person is exposed to in the mother’s womb (Manning et al., 2007; Fink et al., 2003; Fink et al., 2004). The 2D:4D Digit ratio is sexually dimorphic: while the second digit (index finger) is typically shorter for men, and the length difference between the two digits is higher for men than for women (Manning et al., 2007; Manning et al., 2014) Testosterone influences the growth of the ring finger (4D), whereas estrogen exposure stimulates the growth of the index finger (2D). Specifically, males demonstrated a lower ratio, due to increased prenatal testosterone exposure (Manning, 2002). Presumably, this increased prenatal testosterone exposure may promotes the various sports performance. It was shown that the lower digit ratio (high prenatal androgens) indicates the sporting performance of soccer, surfing, sprinting, endurance, hand-grip strength, rowing, kabaddi, swimming, tennis, etc. (Manning et al., 2007; Manning & Taylor, 2001; Islam & Kundu, 2019; Manning & Hill, 2009; Hone & McCullough, 2012; Longman et al., 2011; Sudhakar et al., 2014; Sudhakar et al., 2013; Hsu et al., 2015; Kim & Kim, 2016; Islam & Kundu, 2020). 

Several studies portray the low second to fourth digit finger ratio in which prenatal testosterone hormone was associated with masculine traits. They also recommend that the ratio of 2D:4D is a feasible indicator for sports success rate.

 

2.      AIM OF THE STUDY

 

The specific aim of this critical review study was to explore the relationship between digit ratio (2D:4D) and masculine attributes. 

 

Intrauterine Structure May Be Noticed by Finger Lengths

 

Figure 1: different intrauterine structure may be define by finger lengths (2D and 4D)

 

According to Figure-1, palm to the left, quite a notable side where the ring finger is about one centimeter longer than the index finger, this ring finger is a possible indication of prenatal testosterone before birth and index finger does not offer the same line. Palm to the right side the index finger is about one centimeter longer than the ring finger that shows the feminine prone hand in male. 

 

3.      METHODS

 

Acquisition of Evidence: In this systematic review study a thorough online searching procedure was applied for acquisition of evidence. The electronic databases: PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, Google Advanced Search, and Web of Science were carefully searched to review the literature.

Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria: Studies related to the objective of this paper were included in this study whereas studies that were not directly matched with the concept of analysis were excluded from the process. Inclusion criteria were included with the areas of digit ratio (2D:4D), prenatal testosterone hormone, prenatal androgen, prenatal estrogen hormone, athletic ability, visual-spatial ability, decision-making capacity, aggression, sports performance, and Sexual orientation.

Selection Procedure of Review Articles: In the first attempt, a total of 93 articles with full text were assessed based on eligibility criteria. Out of which only 46 papers were fulfilled the objective of this study. Searches were limited to the years 1975 to 2020. The final database searches were conducted in 17th July 2020. Eligibility of articles was assessed based on eligibility criteria first at the level of the title, abstract, source and then the full text article.

 

4.      LOW DIGIT RATIO AS DETERMINANTS OF MASCULINE ATTRIBUTES

 

Professor John Manning has published numerous research papers showing associations between 2D:4D ratio and enhanced sporting performance. The lower the 2D:4D ratio gets, the higher the physical ability continues to improve. Sports containing balls include the ability to make fast visual-spatial judgments as to where a ball will land; Manning found people with lower 2D:4D ratios do better on visual-spatial skill tests. He theorizes that prenatal testosterone exposure stimulates the central nervous system to strengthen the ability to make certain visual-spatial decisions (Manning, 2002; Manning & Taylor, 2001; Brett, 2016). Previous studies have shown that men and women with higher, more feminized 2D:4D ratios have a greater risk of developing depression and anxiety compared with those with lower, more masculine 2D:4D ratios (Bailey & Hurd, 2005). Similarly, a notable study indicate that high prenatal testosterone levels help to ‘organize’ male facial features to subsequently represent dominance (Figure-2) and presumably activated masculine characteristics during puberty (Neave et al., 2003).

 

Figure 2: Masculinized hand (long 4D compare to 2D) represent the dominance behavior

 

5.      DIGIT RATIO LINKED WITH AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR

 

According to evaluate the findings of a study’s questionnaire, men reveal higher levels of computer task aggression compared with women. There was a negative association between 2D:4D and aggression in males but not in females (Kuepper & Hennig, 2007). Likewise, researchers Valentina Perciavalle and his team analyzed elevated testosterone rates throughout embryonic life, testifying to a small second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D), as well as in adulthood concerning professional soccer players’ aggressive behaviors. There was a strong negative link between the Sal/T and the 2D:4D ratio, as well as the 2D:4D ratio and player aggressiveness. Eventually, the study showed that offensive activity in professional soccer players, with the consequent increased risk of fouls during the game, is more likely to occur in players with elevated testosterone levels, not just in adulthood but also during their prenatal lives (Perciavalle et al., 2013). It is also believed that the digit ratio is a reasonable measure of adult steroid hormones due to its association with fetal steroid hormones. Nevertheless, experience more noticeable testosterone surges in demanding conditions such as those faced in professional sport. Low-digit ratio in males also tends to be more aggressive and take more risks in their life (Tomkinson & Dyer, 2017).

 

6.      2D:4D AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION

 

Previous researchers examined the relationship between 2D:4D digit ratio and sexual orientation in Chinese men and studied the influences of the components used to determine sexual orientation. The study revealed that left 2D:4D had a significant positive correlation with sexual identity, sexual desire, sexual conduct and right 2D:4D had a significant positive correlation with sexual attraction (Xu & Zheng, 2016). Similarly, prenatal testosterone and estrogen hormone is likely to be connected with males’ sexual orientation (Lippa, 2003). The heterosexual males had lower 2D:4D than non-heterosexual males in several previous studies, which highlight the fact that non-heterosexual males experience higher rates of androgen in utero than population norms (Kangassalo et al., 2011). Other researchers noted that, in Austrian homosexual and heterosexual males, this means 2D:4D. They found no major difference between 2D:4D homosexual and heterosexual mean, with values falling from 0.96 to 0.97 for both (Voracek et al., 2005).

 

7.      DIGIT RATIO ENDORSE COGNITIVE DIMENSION

 

Digit ratio is a putative measure of the differences in sports success (Golby & Meggs, 2011). An analysis of several sport-related psychological variables (mental toughness, aggression, optimism scale, coping mechanisms, and aim orientations) with a masculine digit ratio showed high scores of positive disposition than those with a feminine digit ratio. The study also argues the mental resilience decided partly during the gestation period (Golby & Meggs, 2011) that benefited for gender, age, and sporting experience (Nicholls et al., 2009). The visual-spatial intelligence can be assessed by mental rotation score test (Vandenberg & Kuse, 1978; Guillot et al., 2007; Neubauer et al., 2010; Vandenberg & Kuse, 1978). High exposure to prenatal testosterone is likely to be linked to handedness (Lust et al., 2011; Coren, 1998). Left-handed people dominated by the right hemisphere and assists visual-spatial ability (Geschwind & Galaburda, 1985). Interestingly, sensitivity to androgenization more impacts the right palm than the left palm (Brown et al., 2002; McFadden & Shubel, 2002; Williams et al., 2000). There is also a significant correlation between the right palm digit ratio and some psychological and behavioral characteristics relative to the left palm digit ratio (Williams et al., 2000). So, the findings proved that the low digit ratio has an organizational benefit in the cognitive dimension.

 

8.      CONCLUSION

 

Testosterone has anabolic (protein tissue building) features of medicinal value and these steroids are used by athletes to build muscle mass, decrease fat, and improve performance (Mazur & Booth, 1998). High prenatal testosterone hormone established on the mother’s womb and this remains unchanged throughout life (Manning et al., 1998). Manning et al., (2017) stated that prenatal sex steroids may have an effect on “male” occupations, with higher androgenization rates that are low-digit ratio, resulting in “male” occupational preference and higher self-rated masculinity. So, these hormonal traits maybe influenced on masculine attributes. To summarize this review study showed that there may be a relationship between second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) and masculine attributes. Low second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) can be an indicator in scouting potential athletes. Besides, we thought sporting success might be in our hands. For all counts, and with proven findings, it is no wonder that low digit ratio has an “organizational effect” on adult males and females that is likely to be beneficial in working hard.

9.      RECOMMENDATION

 

Low digit ratio (2D:4D) shows the tentative marker for masculinity. So, the lower 2D:4D may be a helpful pointer for competitive sports.

 

SOURCES OF FUNDING

 

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

 

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

 

The author have declared that no competing interests exist.

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

 

None.

 

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