2024-02-17 01:28:03
The efficiency of the oxygen supply to the tissues is a factor in the severity of important diseases such as Covid-19 and heart disease.
Scientists already know that the relationship between the length of a person’s finger and ring finger, known as the 2D:4D ratio, is correlated with distance running performance, age at heart attack and the severity of Covid-19.
Now Swansea University literary relation expert Professor John Manning has worked with colleagues to take a closer look at the issue.
Their findings have just been published by the prestigious American Journal of Human Biology.
The study analyzed 133 professional soccer players while they underwent a series of body measurements that included measuring digit lengths from hand scans. They also completed an incremental cardiopulmonary exercise test on a treadmill.
With our partners from the University of Central Lancashire’s Cyprus campus, we elucidated the relationship between 2D:4D and oxygen metabolism in a sample of well-trained athletes.
Players with long ring digits (4D) in relation to their index digits (2D) have an efficient metabolism of oxygen so that they reach a very high maximal oxygen consumption in a cumulative cardiopulmonary test to exhaustion on a treadmill.”
Professor Manning, from the Sport, Technology, Exercise and Medicine (A-STEM) Applied Research Team.
Long ring digits relative to index digits are considered a marker of high testosterone levels in the uterus. Testosterone has effects on oxygen metabolism through its effect on the energy producers (mitochondria) within the cells.
He added: “Our findings are consistent with those from distance running, where long 4D is associated with high performance, and heart disease and Covid-19 where long 4D is associated with low disease severity.
“Overall, our study illustrates the value of using healthy, well-trained athletes to elucidate metabolic processes that are important in disease outcomes.”
The team says more work is now needed to quantify these associations in women.
Professor Manning’s previous research examined how the difference in finger length between a person’s left and right hand may provide vital information regarding the outcome of infection with Covid-19.
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