1
|
Bäck N, Schaefer K, Windhager S. Handgrip strength and 2D : 4D in women: homogeneous samples challenge the (apparent) gender paradox. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20212328. [PMID: 34875193 PMCID: PMC8651413 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.2328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The length ratio between the second and the fourth digit (2D : 4D) is a retrospective, non-invasive biomarker for prenatal androgen exposure. It was found to be negatively correlated with handgrip strength (HGS) in men, but the evidence for women is mixed. Such studies in women call for increased detection sensitivity. The present study was designed to reduce potential confounding factors, especially age and ethnicity variation. We measured the digit ratios and HGS of 125 healthy women between 19 and 31 years of age from a remote region in Austria. 2D : 4D of both hands was significantly and negatively correlated with HGS (n = 125, right hand: r = -0.255, p = 0.002, left hand: r = -0.206, p = 0.011). Size, direction and significance of correlation coefficients remained stable when statistically controlling for age, body weight, body height, body mass index or hours of exercise per week. This yields theory-consistent evidence that HGS and 2D : 4D are clearly associated in women-when sufficiently reducing genetic variation (confounding 2D : 4D), the ontogenetic environment and age ranges (confounding HGS) in the study population. This finding implies similar organizing effects of prenatal androgens as in men, pointing to a more parsimonious developmental mechanism and a new look into its proximate and ultimate causes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nora Bäck
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katrin Schaefer
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Human Evolution and Archaeological Sciences (HEAS), University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sonja Windhager
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Is digit ratio (2D:4D) associated with the choice for the uniformed versus a civil study course by the Polish youth? ANTHROPOLOGICAL REVIEW 2019. [DOI: 10.2478/anre-2019-0013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The 2nd to 4th digit ratio (2D:4D) is a sexually dimorphic trait determined by the relative balance of prenatal testosterone (T) and oestrogen during the intrauterine development of foetus. Males on average have relatively lower 2D:4D than women in population. Lower 2D:4D is very often linked with greater physical ability, strength, superior sporting performance and many personality traits and behaviours which are seen more among the males. Recently, lower 2D:4D were associated with military and police services among the Polish women. The objectives of this study were to examine whether 2D:4D differed between the students of a study course for future military service and a civil study course and whether sex difference in this ratio is present in both these groups. The cross sectional study included 50 boys and 42 girls enrolled in the uniformed course and other 56 boys and 50 girls of a general course in an upper-secondary School. The lengths of the second (2D) and fourth fingers (4D) of each hand were measured to have the 2D:4D ratio. Height and weight were also recorded. Overall, as well as among the civil course students, males showed significantly lower mean 2D:4D compared to the females. But there was no significant sex difference in digit ratio among the uniformed course students. Besides, the females under uniformed course showed lower 2D:4D than the females in civil course, whereas, the male uniformed students had similar or almost same 2D:4D values with the male civil course students. Increased prenatal testosterone exposure might have a role in determining the choice towards a challenging future occupation and such effect is perhaps more pronounced in women than in males.
Collapse
|
3
|
Damayanthi HDWT, Moy FM, Abdullah KL, Dharmaratne SD. Handgrip Strength and Its Associated Factors among Community-dwelling Elderly in Sri Lanka: A Cross-sectional Study. Asian Nurs Res (Korean Soc Nurs Sci) 2018; 12:231-236. [PMID: 30193884 DOI: 10.1016/j.anr.2018.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Revised: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Low muscle strength is central to geriatric physical disabilities and mortality. The purpose of the present study was to examine handgrip strength (HGS) and its associated factors among community-dwelling older people in Sri Lanka. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Kandy district using multistage sampling. A total of 999 older people were recruited, with a female preponderance. Data were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires on demographic characteristics, depression, and physical activity. Anthropometric measurements including weight, height, mid-upper arm circumference, calf circumference, and HGS were recorded. Complex sample general linear model was used to examine the association between HGS and its associated factors. RESULTS The mean highest HGS of the study group was 12.56 kg (95% confidence interval: 11.94-13.19). Male older people had a higher HGS (17.02, 95% confidence interval: 15.55-18.49 kg) than females (10.59, 95% confidence interval: 10.12-11.06 kg). For both men and women, older age was associated with lower HGS, while mid-upper arm circumference was associated with better HGS. Diabetes mellitus, vegetarian diet, and alcohol consumption were associated with HGS for women only. CONCLUSION Men had a higher HGS compared with women. Age, mid-upper arm circumference, diabetes mellitus, vegetarian diet, and alcohol consumption were factors associated with HGS among community-dwelling older people in Kandy district, Sri Lanka. HGS can be used as a feasible strategy to improve health status of older people by community health nurses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hewaratne D W T Damayanthi
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Department of Nursing, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
| | - Foong-Ming Moy
- Julius Centre University of Malaya, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Kathijah L Abdullah
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Samath D Dharmaratne
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka; Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, United States; Department of Health Metric Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
FURTHER EVIDENCE OF AN ASSOCIATION BETWEEN LOW SECOND-TO-FOURTH DIGIT RATIO (2D:4D) AND SELECTION FOR THE UNIFORMED SERVICES: A STUDY AMONG POLICE PERSONNEL IN WROCŁAW, POLAND. J Biosoc Sci 2017; 50:527-539. [PMID: 28828996 DOI: 10.1017/s0021932017000438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Males and females differ in their preference for occupations and sporting activities, and differ also in risk-taking attitudes. In addition to other explanations, prenatal hormone exposure has been implicated in these gender-associated differences. The ratio of the relative lengths of the second-to-fourth digits (2D:4D) is a proxy indicator of prenatal exposure to testosterone relative to oestrogen. The 2D:4D ratio has been found to be associated with choice of occupation, particularly among females. This study investigated whether 2D:4D differed between police officers and a control group of civilians in Wrocław, Poland. Participants were 147 male and 55 female police officers and 91 male and 75 female civilian controls. The police officers had to undergo rigorous physical ability tests during recruitment and their job bore relatively higher risk, whereas the controls had a normal civilian lifestyle. Height, weight, hand grip strength and lengths of the second and fourth digits were measured. Analyses of variance and covariance were employed to assess the significance of difference in digit ratio between groups (police officers and civilians) allowing for interaction with sex. The policewomen, compared with the female controls, were taller and had stronger hand grip strength, but had lower 2D:4D in the right hand and average 2D:4D of both hands. However, male and female police officers slightly differed only in the right hand digit ratio but not in the left hand ratio or the average for the two hands. However, the control group showed significant sex differences in all digit ratios with higher (feminine) mean values in females. The study provides further evidence that prenatal testosterone exposure, as reflected in the 2D:4D ratio, might have an association with choice of occupation, particularly among females.
Collapse
|
5
|
Yang H, Zhong L, Bai S, Dong Y, Wang Y, Li Q, Yang Q, Jiang D, Bi H, Xiao C, Zheng B. Association of Dopamine D1 and D3 Receptor Gene Polymorphisms with Essential Hypertension in 3 Ethnic Groups in China. Med Sci Monit Basic Res 2017; 23:234-239. [PMID: 28579604 PMCID: PMC5476181 DOI: 10.12659/msmbr.900432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Essential hypertension (EH) is one of the major cardiovascular diseases. Recent studies demonstrated that dopamine D1 and D3 receptor gene polymorphisms (DRD1 and DRD3) play an important role in EH. Material/Methods To investigate whether DRD1 and DRD3 polymorphisms are associated with EH, 3 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the DRD1 and 6 SNPs of DRD3 gene were analyzed in 3 ethnic groups. SNPStats was used to obtain odds ratios (ORs), 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and P values. Multiple logistic regression models (co-dominant, dominant, recessive, over-dominant, and log-additive) and chi-squared test were conducted to analyze the genetic data by chi-squared test. Results Synonymous SNPs (rs1799914 and rs4867798) of the DRD1 gene and SNPs (rs9880168) of the DRD3 were associated with EH in Hani nationality (OR 3.77, 0.63, 1.43, 5.00, respectively; 95% CI 1.05–13.54, p=0.024; 0.44–0.90, p=0.0121; 1.06–1.94, p=0.019; 1.08–23.10, p=0.017, respectively; Recessive, over-dominant model, respectively). However, none SNPs of DRD1 and DRD3 of best models showed association with EH in Han and Yi nationality. Conclusion These results suggest that SNPs of DRD1 and DRD3 may be contributed to essential hypertension in Hani nationality of China.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongju Yang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China (mainland)
| | - Lianmei Zhong
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China (mainland)
| | - Song Bai
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China (mainland)
| | - YiLong Dong
- Human Genetics Center of Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan, China (mainland)
| | - Yanmei Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China (mainland)
| | - Qian Li
- Human Genetics Center of Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan, China (mainland)
| | - Qiuping Yang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China (mainland)
| | - Dejun Jiang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China (mainland)
| | - Hongyan Bi
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China (mainland)
| | - Chunjie Xiao
- Human Genetics Center of Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan, China (mainland)
| | - Bingron Zheng
- Human Genetics Center of Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan, China (mainland)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Handgrip strength and associated sociodemographic and lifestyle factors: A systematic review of the adult population. J Bodyw Mov Ther 2017; 21:401-413. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2016.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2016] [Revised: 08/18/2016] [Accepted: 08/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
|
7
|
Abstract
SummaryHumans exhibit sex differences in competitiveness, sensation seeking and risk-taking attitude, which are required in sports. These attributes are often linked to prenatal testosterone (PT) exposure. The second-to-fourth digit length ratio (2D:4D) is an indicator of PT exposure. A lower 2D:4D indicates higher PT exposure and vice versa. Males generally have a lower 2D:4D than females. Sensation- and/or thrill-seeking behaviours have also been found to be negatively associated with 2D:4D. Boxing and judo are considered to be high-risk sports. Voluntary participation in judo/boxing in contrast to aerobics can be guided by such behaviours and thus have an association with lower 2D:4D. This cross-sectional study included 167 female students from a military academy in Wrocław, Poland. Of them, 119 had voluntarily chosen aerobic exercise, and 48 opted for judo/boxing. Height, weight and second and fourth digit lengths were measured. Physical fitness was assessed using Eurofit tests. The two groups showed similar physical fitness and body size. However, the judo/boxing group had significantly lower mean 2D:4D values than the aerobics group. It is proposed that voluntary choice of participation in a sport discipline by women could be linked to the ‘organizational’ effect of intrauterine testosterone exposure during prenatal growth.
Collapse
|
8
|
SEX DIFFERENCES IN DIGIT RATIO (2D:4D) AMONG MILITARY AND CIVIL COHORTS AT A MILITARY ACADEMY IN WROCŁAW, POLAND. J Biosoc Sci 2015; 48:658-71. [PMID: 26593964 DOI: 10.1017/s0021932015000401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The ratio of second-to-fourth digit length (2D:4D), which is generally higher in women compared with men, is a putative marker of prenatal testosterone (PT) exposure. Lower 2D:4D is linked with greater physical ability and strength, better sporting performance and a propensity towards jobs demanding greater physical ability. The objectives of this paper were to examine the sexual dimorphism in 2D:4D in both hands 1and compare this dimorphism in the students of military and civil courses at the General Kuściuszko Military Academy of Land Forces in Wrocław. The cross-sectional study compared 59 female and 118 male students from the military courses and 53 females and 64 male students from the civil courses. Besides calculating 2D:4D (2D/4D) for each hand, height and weight were also recorded. Physical fitness and endurance were assessed using Eurofit tests. Handgrip strength was measured using a standardized isometric dynamometer. In almost all physical tests, students in the military cohort showed highly significant greater physical ability and strength (e.g. handgrip strength) when compared with the civil cohort. Male participants had a significantly lower 2D:4D than females for each hand, as well as for the average value for both hands. The sexual dimorphism was, however, a little more pronounced in the right hand than in the left. Both sex and course type were significant predictors of 2D:4D. There were significant interactions between sex and the student type. Among females, but not in males, the military cohort had a significantly lower, i.e. more 'masculine', 2D:4D for the left hand and right hand and average for both hands (t=3.290, p<0.001) than the civil cohort. This was not the case in males. However, the sex difference in 2D:4D was only significant among the civil students, and not among the military cadets. In conclusion, higher PT exposure, as represented by a lower 2D:4D, among the Polish females might be an indicator of relatively increased physical ability and motivation to choose professions that require higher strength and endurance.
Collapse
|
9
|
Xu Y, Zheng Y. The digit ratio (2D:4D) in China: A meta-analysis. Am J Hum Biol 2014; 27:304-9. [DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.22639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2014] [Revised: 08/13/2014] [Accepted: 09/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yin Xu
- School of Psychology, Southwest University; Chongqing 400715 People's Republic of China
| | - Yong Zheng
- School of Psychology, Southwest University; Chongqing 400715 People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Manning J, Kilduff L, Cook C, Crewther B, Fink B. Digit Ratio (2D:4D): A Biomarker for Prenatal Sex Steroids and Adult Sex Steroids in Challenge Situations. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2014; 5:9. [PMID: 24523714 PMCID: PMC3906590 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2014.00009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2013] [Accepted: 01/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Digit ratio (2D:4D) denotes the relative length of the second and fourth digits. This ratio is considered to be a biomarker of the balance between fetal testosterone (T) and estrogen (E) in a narrow window of early ontogeny. Evidence for this assertion is derived from direct and indirect measures of prenatal hormonal exposure (in experimental animals, via amniotic fluid samples and in the study of sex-typical traits) in relation to 2D:4D. In contrast, the relationships between 2D:4D and levels of sex steroids in adults are less clear, as many correlational studies of 2D:4D and adult sex steroids have concluded that this association is statistically non-significant. Here, we suggest that in order to understand the link between 2D:4D and sex hormones, one must consider both fetal organizing and adult activating effects of T and E. In particular, we hypothesize that 2D:4D correlates with organizing effects on the endocrine system that moderate activating effects in adulthood. We argue that this is particularly evident in "challenging" conditions such as aggressive and sexual encounters, in which individuals show increased levels of T. We discuss this refinement of the 2D:4D paradigm in relation to the links between 2D:4D and sports performance, and aggression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John Manning
- Department of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- *Correspondence: John Manning, Department of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK e-mail:
| | - Liam Kilduff
- Applied Sports Technology, Exercise and Medicine Research Centre, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Christian Cook
- School of Sport, Health and Exercise Science, Bangor University, Gwynedd, UK
| | | | - Bernhard Fink
- Department of Biological Personality Psychology and Assessment, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|