Soccer Passing Accuracy Differentiates Between High and Low Digit Ratio (2D:4D) Soccer Players

Muhammad Shahidul Islam,Brajanath Kundu

doi:10.11648/j.ajss.20200803.11

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to know soccer passing accuracy performances between the national youth level soccer players possessing high digit ratio and low digit ratio (2D:4D). The study was carried out in 108 male soccer players of Bangladesh aged between 16 to 19 years for measured the digit ratio. To find out the high and low digit ratio groups of participant quartile deviation has been used. Participants belonged to 0.973 and above (N=28) were categorized into high digit ratio group and 0.942 and below (N=28) were categorized into low digit ratio group. Soccer passing accuracy performance was assessed (N=56) by using Loughborough Soccer Passing Test (LSPT). Digit ratio (2D:4D) was measured by digital vernier caliper, Mitutoyo Corporation, Japan measuring to 0.01 mm. The length of the index finger (2D) and ring finger (4D) measured in millimeters from the second metacarpophalangeal crease of the finger to the fingertip. The mean digit ratio was calculated as dividing the length of the 2D by the length of the 4D for the left and right hand one by one and then computes the mean of these two ratios. To find out the significance of differences of soccer passing accuracy between the high digit ratio and the low digit ratio groups independent t-test was used. It was observed that the mean score in soccer passing accuracy performance, i.e., LSPT Total performance (TP) of the lower digit ratio, group was a significantly better performer than that of the high digit ratio group. A higher level of fetal testosterone, characterized by lower values of the digit finger ratio (2D:4D), may be associated with a higher performance of soccer passing accuracy in multifaceted aspects including passing, dribbling, controlling, turning, decision-making, and cognition.

Highlights

The index finger length to ring finger length ratio (2D:49-55 the fourth digit (4D)) is considered a possible biomarker of prenatal androgen exposure [1]
The present study investigates the comparative analysis between high digit ratio and low digit ratio groups under soccer passing accuracy in national youth soccer players
The present study found the significance of differences between high digit ratio and low digit ratio under soccer passing accuracy was to some extent conclusive

Summary

Introduction

The index finger length to ring finger length ratio (2D:4D) is considered a possible biomarker of prenatal androgen exposure [1]. Digit ratio is claimed to be affected by the fetal exposure to the prenatal androgen. Analysis of amniocentesis samples shows that the digit ratio is negatively associated with prenatal testosterone hormone, but positively linked to exposure to estrogen hormone [9]. Male fetuses usually have a higher exposure to testosterone and males always have lower digit ratios than females [10]. The ratio 2D:4D is a prospective marker for prenatal testosterone and may describe differences in sports performance [5, 11]. Most correlational early studies highlighted the negative relationships between lower digit ratio and performance in sports. Low second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) may be an indicator for prospective athletes, soccer players [6, 26]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion