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Digit ratio (2D:4D) and mood states in elite female water polo players

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Abstract

Objective

The relative length of the second and fourth digits (2D:4D) has been proposed as a marker of the prenatal androgen effects, with a relatively longer fourth finger indicating higher prenatal androgen exposure. Low 2D:4D has been reported to correlate with high performance and mood states in sport in general. On the psychological side, tests able to measure specific psychological features and mood states have been used. Here, we examined the relationship between 2D:4D and mood states in elite female water polo players.

Method

We administered the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questioner in 15 players at the beginning (October) and at the end of the competition season (December), as well as 3 months after its end (March).

Results

We observed a positive relation only between 2D:4D ratio and anger. This relation was significant in October (r = 0.756, P < 0.01) and March (r = 0.733, P < 0.01), whereas the significance was not detected in December.

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Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest for any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sport and Motor Sciences, University “Kore”, Cittadella Universitaria, 94100, Enna, Italy

    D. Di Corrado

  2. Section of Physiology, Department of Bio-Medical Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy

    V. Perciavalle

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  1. D. Di Corrado
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  2. V. Perciavalle
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Correspondence to D. Di Corrado.

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Di Corrado, D., Perciavalle, V. Digit ratio (2D:4D) and mood states in elite female water polo players. Sport Sci Health 9, 19–23 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-013-0140-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-013-0140-2

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