Your fingers show your athletic potential and anxiety (2024)

By comparing your index and ring fingers, a neuroscientist can tell if you are likely to be anxious, or if you are likely to be a good athlete.

It is well-known that adults whose index finger is shorter than their ring finger were exposed to greater amounts of testosterone when they were in the womb.

Both women and men with this characteristic are -- on average -- better equipped to solve mentally demanding 3D rotation tasks as adults. As a group, they also have better physical and athletic abilities, but are more prone to having ADHD and Tourette's syndrome.

Why on earth is this the case? Both boys and girls are exposed to testosterone in the womb. Everyone has different levels of male and female sex hormones. Some men have a lot of testosterone, some have less, and the same applies to women. Women who have received a lot of prenatal testosterone don't need much testosterone as adults.

The level of testosterone in utero affects one's finger length as an adult.

24 women and a drop of testosterone

"The relationship between the index finger and ring finger in particular indicates how much testosterone you have been exposed to in utero," says Carl Pintzka, a medical doctor and researcher at the National Competence Service for Functional MRI.

In his doctoral dissertation at NTNU, Pintzka investigated how the brain functions differently in women and men. As part of this study, he tested an established theory about the significance of finger length and how the brain works.

He measured the finger length of 42 women and gave half of them a drop of testosterone. The other half were given a placebo. Afterwards, the women had to solve various mental tasks.

Short index finger, more testosterone

"We could then look at how testosterone levels affect different abilities in healthy women both in the womb and in adulthood," says Pintzka.

An index finger that is relatively short compared to the ring finger indicates that one has been exposed to a lot of testosterone in utero, whereas a relatively long index finger suggests a lower exposure to testosterone in the womb.

"One mechanism behind this relationship is the difference in the receptor density for oestrogen and testosterone in the various fingers in utero. This relationship has also been shown to remain relatively stable after birth, which implies that it's strictly the fetal hormone balance that determines this ratio," says Pintzka.

More testosterone, better sense of place

The relationship between the index finger and ring finger in humans is associated with a variety of abilities in adulthood.

"The greatest effect has been found for various physical and athletic measures, where high levels of prenatal testosterone are consistently linked with better capabilities," Pintzka says. "Beyond this we find a number of uncertain results, but a general feature is that high levels of testosterone generally correlate with superior abilities on tasks that men usually perform better, such as various spatial tasks like directional sense," he adds.

Conversely, low levels of testosterone are associated with better abilities in verbal memory tasks, such as remembering lists of words. Fetal hormonal balance also likely affects the risk of developing various brain-related diseases.

… but also more ADHD and autism

Pintzka says studies show that high levels of testosterone in utero correlate with an increased risk of developing diseases that are more common in men, such as ADHD, Tourette's and autism. Low levels of testosterone are associated with an increased risk of developing diseases that are more common in women, like anxiety and depression.

His study primarily involved researching how testosterone affects different spatial abilities in women. The women were asked to navigate a virtual maze, and to mentally rotate different three-dimensional objects.

More study needed According to Pintzka, the study results indicate a trend towards a positive effect of high testosterone levels on spatial abilities in utero. He believes that a larger study would be able to show a significant correlation. Furthermore, the results suggest that these hormone levels are important both in utero and in adulthood.

In other words, no definite conclusions can be drawn quite yet. Pintzka found no prenatal hormonal effects on study participants' ability to navigate a virtual maze.

"The women who scored best on the mental rotation tasks had high levels of testosterone both prenatally and in their adult lives, while those who scored worst had low levels in both," says Pintzka.

Your fingers show your athletic potential and anxiety (2024)

FAQs

How can you tell your testosterone levels by your fingers? ›

Short index finger, more testosterone

An index finger that is relatively short compared to the ring finger indicates that one has been exposed to a lot of testosterone in utero, whereas a relatively long index finger suggests a lower exposure to testosterone in the womb.

What can your fingers tell about your health? ›

The examination of the hand and nails can lead to a number of diagnoses. Some of these include liver disease (Terry's nails), kidney disease (Lindsay's nails), lung disease (nail clubbing), endocarditis and many others.

Is there a correlation between ring finger length and athletic ability? ›

In general, those with lower digit ratios – that is, those whose ring fingers are relatively longer than their pointers – are more likely to perform better across a very wide range of sports and athletic events. This was first illustrated in a detailed study of English professional football (soccer) players.

What does it mean when a guys index finger is shorter than his ring finger? ›

Men generally have shorter index fingers than ring fingers. The ratio of the length of the index finger to the ring finger is smaller for men than for women. In men, a smaller ratio, meaning the two digits are more similar in size, is thought to be associated with higher testosterone exposure before birth.

What are physical signs of high testosterone? ›

Still, when testosterone levels in men are abnormally high, it can result in a number of different signs and symptoms, including:
  • Low sperm count.
  • Heart muscle damage.
  • Prostate enlargement.
  • Insomnia.
  • Mood swings.
  • Aggressive behavior.
  • Increased muscle mass.
  • Excessive body hair or hair growth.
Nov 12, 2021

What features indicate high testosterone? ›

High testosterone shows itself in strong jawbones, darker coloring, and hollower cheekbones. High estrogen reveals itself in smooth skin, a small chin, sparse facial hair, arched eyebrows, and plump lips.

What fingers say about your personality? ›

If your Index finger is longer than your Ring finger, then you are a leader who is quick to take charge of any situation. You are a confident and resourceful person who shines at leading the way. You are also found to be resourceful and quite good at giving advice. You are even-tempered.

What is the most important finger on your body? ›

Conclusions: The middle finger was the most important contributor to grip strength. The next most important was the combination of the ring and little fingers.

What are your strength fingers? ›

Strength of the grip and strength of the fingers are highly correlated. The contribution of the index finger is about 25% of the total force, the middle finger 35%, the ring finger 25% and 14% of the force is contributed by the pinky.

What does it mean if your ring finger and index finger are the same height? ›

03/4When your index and your ring finger are of the same length. Those of you who possess the same length of index and ring finger are most likely to be calm, stable and oriented towards a well-balanced life.

What does it mean if your index finger is longer than your ring finger female? ›

Women whose forefinger was shorter than their ring finger were more likely to describe themselves as 'assertive and competitive' than women whose forefinger was longer than their ring finger. This finding could reflect the simultaneous effect of prenatal sex hormones on body and brain.

What are long fingers good for? ›

Research has also shown that adolescent boys with longer fingers performed better at competitive sports like basketball and even soccer (where the use of hands is not permitted, except by the goalie), due to a possible link to muscular strength.

What does big hands mean for a guy? ›

A Man's Hand Size Hints at His Athletic Ability

Men with longer ring fingers have better hand strength, regardless of their age and body size, a team of father-son researchers found. Several studies echo the sentiment that longer ring fingers are linked with superior athleticism and overall strength.

What does short fingers on a woman mean? ›

They remain loyal to those who love them dearly. They are destined to achieve great success in their respective careers. Those women whose ring finger is shorter than the index finger enjoy loneliness. They tend to solve problems using the faculty of reason and exhibit great leadership qualities as well.

Which finger length is masculine? ›

Finger length ratio (2D:4D) is a sexually dimorphic trait. Men have relatively shorter second digits (index fingers) than fourth digits (ring fingers). Smaller, more masculine, digit ratios are thought to be associated with either higher prenatal testosterone levels or greater sensitivity to androgens, or both.

How do I know if my testosterone is low? ›

What are the symptoms of low testosterone?
  1. Reduced sex drive.
  2. Erectile dysfunction.
  3. Loss of armpit and pubic hair.
  4. Shrinking testicl*s.
  5. Hot flashes.
  6. Low or zero sperm count (azoospermia), which causes male infertility.
Sep 2, 2022

What triggers high testosterone? ›

Common causes of high T levels in people with penises include: Tumor growth near hormonal glands, such as your adrenal gland or your testicl*s. Using anabolic steroids to build muscle mass or enhance athletic performance. Taking T supplements or T replacement therapy (TRT) for abnormally low T levels.

How do you know if your testosterone is good? ›

Testosterone levels are measured through blood tests. Most doctors agree that a “normal” reading falls anywhere between 300 to 1,000 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). About 40% of men over age 45 will have levels that come in below that range.

How does testosterone change your face? ›

Your eyes and face will begin to develop a more angular, male appearance as facial fat decreases and shifts. Please note that it's not likely your bone structure will change, though some people in their late teens or early twenties may see some subtle bone changes.

What happens if testosterone is too high? ›

Problems associated with abnormally high testosterone levels in men include: Low sperm counts, shrinking of the testicl*s and impotence (seems odd, doesn't it?) Heart muscle damage and increased risk of heart attack. Prostate enlargement with difficulty urinating.

Do hairy men have more testosterone? ›

Men all have roughly the same amount of testosterone. Certain genes make your hair follicles more or less sensitive to the amount of testosterone in your body. Basically, an enzyme converts testosterone into a substance that shrinks hair follicles.

Which finger is connected to the mind? ›

The thumb represents the brain, the index finger represents the liver/gall bladder. The middle finger represents heart, the ring finger represents hormones and the little finger or pinky represents digestion.

Which finger symbolizes what? ›

Pinky – expression – signifies intellect and communication skills. Ring finger – relationship status – this is where your wedding band goes. Middle finger – individuality – communicates order and purpose. Index finger – allegiance – leadership and ambition – mainly used for membership rings.

What is the emotional meaning of fingers? ›

Thumb – tears, grief, emotional pain, feeling upset. Pointer/Index finger – fear, panic, feeling scared. Middle finger – anger, rage, resentment, feeling mad. Ring finger – worry, anxiety. Little finger – having self-doubts, not feeling good about ourselves or feeling bad.

Which finger is least important? ›

To summarize: the first finger on the hand you don't use for writing is the least important finger, and the fourth toe on the foot you don't use to kick a soccer ball is probably your least important toe.

Are strong fingers important? ›

5 Ways Stronger Fingers Help Improve Climbing Performance

Stronger fingers can grip smaller holds. Stronger fingers can endure longer when climbing on submaximal holds. Stronger fingers can rest and recover on smaller holds. Stronger fingers have more stamina.

Why are fingers so important? ›

They are capable of a wide variety of functions: touch- ing, grasping, feeling, holding, manipulating, caressing, and more. They are a vitally important part of who we are and how we see ourselves.

Who has the strongest finger strength? ›

Today we have a true legend of finger strength – the one and only Yves Gravelle. He has some of the strongest fingers in the world, pound for pound and has demonstrated this in both the climbing and arm lifting world, whilst also holding down a full time job and the added role of parenting on top of that.

What are the 4 types of fingers? ›

A method taught since the 1960s (and perhaps earlier): The left little finger is used for the keys 1 2 , the ring finger for 3 , the middle — 4 , the left index finger is responsible for 5 and 6 .

Which hand is usually stronger? ›

They found that on average, grip strength in the dominant hand was 12.7 % stronger for right handed people. Left handed subjects showed no such difference between the dominant and nondominant hand.

What does long fingers mean on a man? ›

Men with longer ring fingers have better hand strength, regardless of their age and body size, a team of father-son researchers found. Several studies echo the sentiment that longer ring fingers are linked with superior athleticism and overall strength.

Which type of fingers are lucky? ›

1 ~ According to palmistry, if the length of the index finger is more than the middle finger, then such persons are lucky. Such people also get status and honor with respect. The economic condition of these individuals is also good.

What do big hands mean on a woman? ›

Your hand size can indicate something about your personality. Let's compare large hands vs. small hands. Large Hands: perfectionist, always running late, an effective worker, sensitive, impulsive, often overreacts, regardful to others, put yourself last.

What are people with long fingers called? ›

Arachnodactyly ("spider fingers") is a medical condition that is characterized by fingers and toes that are abnormally long and slender, in comparison to the palm of the hand and arch of the foot.

Do fingers hold fat? ›

Everyone's body has a natural way that it tends to distribute weight. And for some of us, that place can be our hands and fingers. Even if you're at a healthy body weight, you may still find that your fingers appear thick or carry fat.

Are long fingers more attractive? ›

Men whose ring fingers are longer than their index fingers are more attractive to women, a study suggests. The longer the fourth finger compared to the second, known as the 2D:4D ratio, is proportional to how attractive their face is considered, research showed.

What makes a woman's hands attractive? ›

Typicality and femininity of shape, perceived fattiness and skin healthiness, the appearance of nail vicinity, and grooming influenced hand attractiveness in men and women.

What is a manly hand? ›

A short index finger is a more masculine hand. It correlates with higher male fertility, higher levels of aggression and increased aptitude for both sports and music. Women who have this masculine finger pattern are more likely to display higher levels of aggression — and enjoy greater professional success.

How can you tell the size of a man by his hands? ›

Sorry boys, but it does seem the size of your fingers is a pretty good guide to your manhood. Long regarded as a myth and source of much amusem*nt, scientists have now confirmed that the length of a man's index finger relative to his ring finger can reveal his penis size.

What does middle finger mean from a girl? ›

Raising the middle finger has become a common, vulgar gesture signifying anger or rebellion, though it may be most recognizable in Western culture. It can be used in a range of contexts: by celebrities when photographed by paparazzi, by drivers expressing road rage, or among friends in a playful manner.

What do long skinny fingers mean? ›

Arachnodactyly is a condition with which the fingers and toes are very long and thin, and sometimes curved. This condition sometimes occurs on its own, without an underlying health problem.

What does pointing the middle finger mean? ›

Giving someone the middle finger is an offensive gesture in which a person flips up their middle finger in a fist to show contempt or defiance.

How can I check my testosterone level at home? ›

Testosterone home testing kits are widely available from several companies, including LetsGetChecked, Everlywell, and Progene. They use your blood or saliva to test your hormone levels. After taking the test, you'll send your sample to a laboratory for testing.

Can you tell the size of a man by his hands? ›

Long regarded as a myth and source of much amusem*nt, scientists have now confirmed that the length of a man's index finger relative to his ring finger can reveal his penis size.

Is there a way to tell if you have low testosterone? ›

If you have low testosterone levels, you may notice the following signs and symptoms: decreased sex drive (libido) poor (or no) erections (erectile dysfunction or impotence) enlarged breasts.

Can you test how much testosterone levels at home? ›

LetsGetChecked offers testosterone testing kits that use a finger prick to measure testosterone levels in the blood. After you collect your sample, you send it to the lab on the same day you collect it using prepaid shipping supplies. Within 2 to 5 days, your results will be available to you online.

Does masturbating lower testosterone? ›

The short answer to this question? No. Masturbation and ejacul*tion haven't been shown to have any long-term or negative effects on testosterone levels, also known as T levels.

How can I increase my testosterone level quickly? ›

Starke offers the following tips:
  1. Improve your diet. Adopting and maintaining a healthy diet benefits your testosterone levels in two primary ways: ...
  2. Mix cardio with strength training, and vice versa. ...
  3. Get plenty of sleep. ...
  4. Take steps to reduce stress. ...
  5. Address any underlying medical conditions.
Apr 9, 2021

How do I know if my testosterone is good? ›

Testosterone levels are measured through blood tests. Most doctors agree that a “normal” reading falls anywhere between 300 to 1,000 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). About 40% of men over age 45 will have levels that come in below that range.

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