Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


4

Finger Length Holds Key to Running Skill

Measure digits to predict aggression, math scores, arthritis

Share

(Newser) – Boys with ring fingers longer than their middle fingers may be speedier than peers with more symmetrical hands, a study of Qatari adolescents suggests. The speed difference is associated with exposure to testosterone in the womb, LiveScience reports. Finger length can also predict men’s aggression and SAT math scores, women’s athletic ability, and risk of osteoarthritis in both genders, other studies have shown.

A study says boys' ring-finger length is tied to their speed.
A study says boys' ring-finger length is tied to their speed.   (Shutterstock)
Finger length correlates with athletic ability and even arthritis risk.
Finger length correlates with athletic ability and even arthritis risk.   (Flickr)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Stressors during pregnancy may lead to asymmetrical body parts. The same stressors will also affect development of the central nervous system. - Ohio State University researcher Zeynep Benderlioglu

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
4 comments
VIEWING:
 
PaleRider
Mar 13, 09 12:56 PM CDT
Another baseless study like the last one that stated left handed people are better and smarter and they show a picture of phil mickelson. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
airron14
Mar 13, 09 6:31 PM CDT
It's not the middle finger compared to the ring finger, it's the index finger. Anyone with that large of a ring finger has some sort of birth defect. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
gregconquest
Mar 14, 09 9:42 AM CDT
Yeah, good catch, airron14. Newser messed up on the synopsis. My ring finger extends only slightly further than does my index finger. I can't imagine anyone's middle finger being shorter than either of the fingers adjacent to it. That would be like a reverse birdie ;-)
Vote up! Vote down!
0
riffran
Mar 14, 09 4:30 AM CDT
or is real good at picking boogers....rofl Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

2 Stories

(Newser) - Women may be more “selective” daters, but that distinction could well be based not on innate personality but on social norms and the simple prospect of which gender is doing the pursuing. A new study had subjects participate in a few rounds of speed dating. When the males approached... More »

MORE ABOUT:
gender • women • men • dating • romance • speed-dating • scientific study • selectivity • social mores

(Newser) - Pre-race World Championship blood tests on super South African runner Caster Semenya revealed testosterone levels three times typical female rates, a source tells the Telegraph. The results of the tests, carried out in South Africa, contributed to a decision by sports officials to call for "gender verification" tests on... More »

MORE ABOUT:
gender • Berlin • South Africa • testosterone • anabolic steroids • East Germany • World Championships • blood tests • gold medal • gold medalist • gender confusion • women athletes • Caster Semenya • gender test

2 Stories


More on the study
Daily Telegraph (UK)

Abstract of the study
Wiley InterScience


Science & Health 
TwitterFollow @NewserScience on Twitter

 
gender • testosterone • speed • running • scientific study • boy • fingers

from our news partners