Applicability of the 2D:4D ratio in identifying predispositions for combat sports

Abstract

Introduction. Combat sports, even though they are associated with aggressive behavior, but athletes often train how to control emotions and aggression. Thus aggression level can be one of the selection criteria for combat sports. Material and methods. The study analyzed the value of the 2D:4D ratio and the level of aggression in 102 athletes in selected combat sports: kyokushin karate (20), ITF taekwondo (22), kickboxing (19), wrestling (21), and judo (20). Furthermore, the study evaluated a control group of 76 men who did not engage in competitive sports training. Results. The athletes practicing combat sports displayed a higher 2D:4D ratio than the persons from the control group. On the other hand, the study observed significant differences (p<0.05) in the 2D:4D ratio values within the experimental group between karate and taekwondo fighters and the rest of the athletes. Conclusions. The 2D:4D ratio is a good tool that may be useful during the selection of combat sport athletes by providing indirect information about the level of testosterone during the fetal period. Combat sports, through training, have a positive impact on their practitioners, allowing the athletes to improve the control over their emotions and know themselves better, which results in reduced aggressiveness and anger towards other people.

Comparative analysis of physical development and body composition of kickboxing athletes with different training experience

“…However, the final interpretation of this indicator is still missing. Adamczyk et al [15] confirmed that the 2D:4D ratio was higher in martial arts athletes than in the control group of athletes. Camarco et al [14] report lower median values of this index in athletes compared to non-athletes.…”

“…The index of the ratio of the lengths of 2 and 4 fingers (2D:4D) is widely used in sports science as a screening. It is proposed to use it to determine the potential results of people in power sports, especially in martial arts [14,15]. However, the final interpretation of this indicator is still missing.…”

“…The specificity of indexes is their important characteristic for use in this context. The index of the ratio of the lengths of the 2nd and 4th fingers of the right hand (2D: 4D) is considered promising for martial arts [14,15]. The presence of dependencies of this index with anthropometric and psychological characteristics of athletes of mixed martial arts has been confirmed [14,15].…”

Empathy and cooperation as components of “warrior” morphopsychology in human: comparative analysis of military and control groups

“…Äîñòîâåðíî áîëåå íèçêèå ïàëüöåâûå èíäåêñû (ïî ñðàâíåíèþ ñ êîíòðîëüíûìè ãðóïïàìè) âûÿâëåíû ó ñïîðòñìåíîâ âûñîêèõ äîñòèaeåíèé, êàê ìóae÷èí, òàê è aeåíùèí ðàçíûõ âèäîâ ñïîðòà (âêëþ÷àÿ áîðüáó, ïëàâàíüå, ëåãêóþ àòëåòèêó, ôåõòîâàíèå è äð.) [Áóòîâñêàÿ ñ ñîàâò., 2010; Áóòîâñêàÿ ñ ñîàâò., 2012; Ïðîñèêîâà ñ ñîàâò., 2015; Áóòîâñêàÿ ñ ñîàâò., 2017; Manning, Taylor, 2001;Bescos et al, 2009;Manning, Hill, 2009;Perciavalle et al, 2014;Adamczyk et al, 2017].…”