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JOURNAL
OF
SPORTS SCIENCE &
MEDICINE
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Research
article
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EXPLORING THE ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECT OF PRENATAL TESTOSTERONE UPON THE SPORTING BRAIN |
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Jim Golby 
and Jennifer Meggs |
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Department of Sport and Exercise Psychology, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, England, United Kingdom |
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© Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2011) 10, 445 - 451 |
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| ABSTRACT | |||
| The 2D:4D ratio is a putative marker for prenatal testosterone
and has the potential to explain variations in sport performance. To date
there has been little research into the association between sporting performance,
digit ratio and psychological variables. This study examined the relationship
between 2D:4D and mental toughness, optimism, goal orientations, aggression,
coping style and their association with sporting achievement. A post facto
design was adopted. Participants consisted of an opportunity sample of 122
sports people: male (n =60) and female (n = 62) from a university in North
East England. Following informed consent, a Vernier Caliper was used to
measure digit ratio hand scans. Participants completed self-reports measures
including, the Alternative Psychological Performance Inventory (Golby et
al., 2008),
Sport Mental Toughness Questionnaire (Sheard et al., 2009),
Life Orientation Test-Revised (Scheier et al., 1994),
Buss-Perry aggression (Buss-Perry, 1992)
and 30 item coping style questionnaire (Joseph et al., 1995).
MANOVA revealed significant gender differences in 2D:4D with males demonstrating
lower ratios (Manning, 2002).
The 2D:4D was found to differentiate eleven of the seventeen measured variables,
including mental toughness scores (p < 0.001) and varying levels of sporting
achievement i.e. international/national, regional and school levels (p<
0.001). Specifically, this difference was significant when comparing the
highest (international/national) and lowest (leisure/school) groups. Perhaps
there is a threshold for prenatal testosterone's influence upon sporting
ability. Further research is necessary to examine the subtle differences
between competitors involved in different achievement levels. It is proposed
that high prenatal levels of testosterone may contribute to the development
of increased mental toughness, optimism, ego/task goal orientations in individuals,
and hence aptitude towards sport. Findings lend support for the tentative
claim that mental toughness may be partially biologically predetermined.
Theoretical and practical implications are considered, along with limitations
of the current study. Key words: Digit ratio, sport performance, mental toughness, coping style, aggression. |
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