Purpose: Early identification of anthropological potential in swimmers is considered important to... more Purpose: Early identification of anthropological potential in swimmers is considered important to the recruitment and selection of children and adolescents to perform extensive and strenuous training. The aim of the research was a comparative analysis of the anthropometric parameters and indicators of adult, elite swimmers with people who had never trained for swimming. It was assumed that the specific characteristics of the swimmers' somatic composition referred to the laws of swimming biomechanics. Methods: Anthropometric measurements were taken in a group of elite male swimmers (N = 28), aged 17-24. The same set of measurements was taken in a homogeneous control group of students of physical education. An anthropometric profile significantly differentiating swimmers from the control group was constructed. Next, a linear forward stepwise discriminant analysis was conducted to investigate which indices can be used to distinguish the two groups. Results: It seems significant that a specific somatic composition trait of swimmers in the form of a relatively long shank was observed, which had not been observed in earlier studies. Additionally, indices of relatively slim hand dimension, and indices describing a "reversed triangle" shape of trunk, were the most powerful discrimination variables between the two examined groups. Conclusion: The results obtained cannot be generalised to the entire population of swimmers, however referring them to the laws of biomechanics of swimming allows for the continuation of research into identifying the prognostic traits desirable for success among young swimmers.
The aim of the present exploratory study was to assess the changes in urinary oxytocin (OT) conce... more The aim of the present exploratory study was to assess the changes in urinary oxytocin (OT) concentration during the period between five days before, and on the day of match, among rugby and handball players. Nine male rugby players with a mean age of 27.62 years (SD = 4.21) and 18 male handball players with a mean age of 17.03 years (SD = 0.57) participated. Urinary oxytocin level was measured by ELISA immunoassay as a ratio to the concentration of creatinine [mg/ml] measured through colorimetric detection. The relative level of OT to creatinine (OT/CRE) significantly differed between the type of player (rugby or handball) but not between times of measurements. Significant differences were only between OT/CRE level in a day of match in rugby players and in 5 days before match in handball players (p<0.05). There was no change in oxytocin levels during the time periods between five days before and on the day of a match, in either of the two kinds of players. The change in oxytocin...
Human females demonstrate higher religiosity than men in populations. Digit ratio (2D:4D), being ... more Human females demonstrate higher religiosity than men in populations. Digit ratio (2D:4D), being a putative indicator of prenatal testosterone, is associated in varying degrees with characters that show sexual dimorphism. A small number of studies have indicated that religiosity may be associated with the biological basis of sex differences in humans. The objective of the present study was to ascertain whether 2D:4D in religiously oriented seminary students is different from individuals in other occupations. The study followed a cross-sectional design. Male participants of the study included 13 seminary students, 18 military chaplains and 91 control students from study courses relating to civil occupations. Lengths of second (2D) and fourth (4D) digits and their ratio (2D:4D) for each hand, height and weight were the variables and 2D:4D was the outcome measure. The results demonstrated that the seminary students had significantly higher 2D:4D than both the military chaplains and civ...
PURPOSE Early identification of anthropological potential in swimmers is considered important to ... more PURPOSE Early identification of anthropological potential in swimmers is considered important to the recruitment and selection of children and adolescents to perform extensive and strenuous training. The aim of the research was a comparative analysis of the anthropometric parameters and indicators of adult, elite swimmers with people who had never trained for swimming. It was assumed that the specific characteristics of the swimmers' somatic composition referred to the laws of swimming biomechanics. METHODS Anthropometric measurements were taken in a group of elite male swimmers (N = 28), aged 17-24. The same set of measurements was taken in a homogeneous control group of students of physical education. An anthropometric profile significantly differentiating swimmers from the control group was constructed. Next, a linear forward stepwise discriminant analysis was conducted to investigate which indices can be used to distinguish the two groups. RESULTS It seems significant that a...
ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to assess the changes in urinary oxytocin concentratio... more ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to assess the changes in urinary oxytocin concentration during the period between five days before, and on the day of match, among rugby and handball players.MethodsThe study used a repeated measures design with the relative oxytocin level as the outcome variable measured at two subsequent points of time, viz., on five days before as well as on the days of matches. Nine male rugby players with a mean age of 27.62 years (SD = 4.21) and 18 male handball players with a mean age of 17.03 years (SD = 0.57) participated. Urinary oxytocin level was measured by ELISA immunoassay as a ratio to the concentration of creatinine [mg/ml] measured through colorimetric detection. Differences in oxytocin level were assessed by ANOVA with repeated measurements.ResultsThe OT/CRE levels significantly differed between the type of player (rugby or handball) but not between times of measurements. Tukey’s post-hoc tests revealed that significant differences were o...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020
The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in the estimated body composition of elite fema... more The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in the estimated body composition of elite female and male Polish handball players during a five-week preseason training camp. Height and weight were measured, while body composition was estimated with bioelectrical impedance in 18 male and 17 female handball players before and after the five-week training protocol. Components of body composition included total body water (TBW), fat-free mass (FFM), muscle mass (MM), and absolute and relative fat mass (FM). Weight and body mass index (BMI) did not change in males, but declined in females after five weeks of training. FM and %FM declined, while estimated TBW, FFM, and MM increased significantly after training in both males and females. In contrast, comparisons of log transformed ratios for changes in weight, the BMI and body composition in males and females, respectively, suggested that estimated TBW, FFM, and MM increased relatively more in females than in males, while FM and %FM dec...
The 2nd to 4th digit ratio (2D:4D) is a sexually dimorphic trait determined by the relative balan... more The 2nd to 4th digit ratio (2D:4D) is a sexually dimorphic trait determined by the relative balance of prenatal testosterone (T) and oestrogen during the intrauterine development of foetus. Males on average have relatively lower 2D:4D than women in population. Lower 2D:4D is very often linked with greater physical ability, strength, superior sporting performance and many personality traits and behaviours which are seen more among the males. Recently, lower 2D:4D were associated with military and police services among the Polish women. The objectives of this study were to examine whether 2D:4D differed between the students of a study course for future military service and a civil study course and whether sex difference in this ratio is present in both these groups. The cross sectional study included 50 boys and 42 girls enrolled in the uniformed course and other 56 boys and 50 girls of a general course in an upper-secondary School. The lengths of the second (2D) and fourth fingers (4...
It is believed that the second to fourth finger length ratio is an indirect indicator of fetal te... more It is believed that the second to fourth finger length ratio is an indirect indicator of fetal testosterone levels. It is pointed out that there is a relationship between the 2nd to 4th finger length ratio and the body structure in women and men. Studies on the relationship between body composition and 2D:4D finger length among military students have not been carried out so far. The work aims to determine the dependence of body composition and the quotient of the 2nd and 4th fingers length of military students. The research material has been gathered as a result of examinations of women and men studying military subjects. The study involved 55 women and 65 men. The tests included anthropometric measurements (body height, body weight, length of the second and the fourth fingers) and body composition measurements. As a result of the tests, no dimorphic differentiations in the digit length ratio (2D:4D) was indicated. The BMI, muscle mass, lean body mass and water in the body demonstra...
The ratio of the lengths of second finger (2D) to the fourth (4D) is a putative indicator of foet... more The ratio of the lengths of second finger (2D) to the fourth (4D) is a putative indicator of foetal hormonal exposure. The link between 2D:4D and physical strength or sports performance in not consistent. It was suggested that the association of 2D:4D with the sporting and physical ability is better demonstrated in the context of challenge and competition, either real or simulated. However the evidence is limited to a few studies till date. Aim: The objective of this study was to assess whether an aggressive video show could increase muscular strength and if 2D:4D moderated such increase. Study design: We compared outcome measures in two experimental conditions. Outcome measures: Lengths of second (2D) and fourth (4D) digits and their ratio (2D:4D) for both hands, height and weight, handgrip strength of both hands. Subjects: 250 healthy young adults (76 female). Results: The mean left-, right-and average HGS values increased after aggressive video watching than after control blank screen show. The increase was higher in females compared to males. The increase was higher among the individuals with lower 2D:4D, more clearly among females. Conclusions: The 2D:4D correlated negatively with HGS after exposure to challenge condition and this relationship is pronounced in females than males. Thus there is link between prenatal androgenisation and enhanced physical power in challenge situation.
Psychology and personality of individuals may have implications for choice of, and performance in... more Psychology and personality of individuals may have implications for choice of, and performance in sports disciplines. Individual- and group sports differ in psychological requirements, such as, competitiveness, sensation seeking and risk taking attitude, often required in sports. There is sex difference in human in these qualities, which also show association with prenatal testosterone exposures. Second-to-fourth digit lengths ratio (2D:4D) is an indicator of prenatal testosterone exposure. Lower 2D:4D indicates higher prenatal testosteron exposure and vice versa. Males generally have lower 2D:4D than females. This study cross-sectional study investigated the relationship of 2D:4D with team based- or individual sports. The participants were 421 Polish male students with a mean (+SD) age of 19.78 (+0.79) years. Among them, 139 were engaged in sports and 282 were not. Mean 2D:4D in each hand of individual sporting group was significantly lower than the team sports- and no sports group...
There is sex-difference in humans as regards aerobic efficiency, physical strength and endurance ... more There is sex-difference in humans as regards aerobic efficiency, physical strength and endurance and the sex difference is greatly dependent upon differential concentration of testosterone during different phases of growth and development including the intrauterine phase or prenatal growth. Second-to-fourth digit lengths ratio (2D:4D) is an putative indicator of prenatal testosterone exposure. Lower 2D:4D indicates higher prenatal testosterone exposure and vice versa. Males generally have lower 2D:4D than females. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between the fitness measures and 2D:4D in young adult Polish males. The study included 118 Polish male students first course in General Kościuszko Military Academy of Land Forces in Wroclaw. Their mean (+SD) age was 20.4 (+1.60) years. Eurofit test set was employed to assess physical fitness. Apart from height, weight, second and fourth digit lengths, hand grip strength was also measured by a standard isometric dynam...
Further Evidence of an Association Between Low Second-To-Fourth Digit Ratio (2D:4D) and Selection for the Uniformed Services: A Study Among Police Personnel in Wrocław, Poland
Journal of biosocial science, Jan 22, 2017
Males and females differ in their preference for occupations and sporting activities, and differ ... more Males and females differ in their preference for occupations and sporting activities, and differ also in risk-taking attitudes. In addition to other explanations, prenatal hormone exposure has been implicated in these gender-associated differences. The ratio of the relative lengths of the second-to-fourth digits (2D:4D) is a proxy indicator of prenatal exposure to testosterone relative to oestrogen. The 2D:4D ratio has been found to be associated with choice of occupation, particularly among females. This study investigated whether 2D:4D differed between police officers and a control group of civilians in Wrocław, Poland. Participants were 147 male and 55 female police officers and 91 male and 75 female civilian controls. The police officers had to undergo rigorous physical ability tests during recruitment and their job bore relatively higher risk, whereas the controls had a normal civilian lifestyle. Height, weight, hand grip strength and lengths of the second and fourth digits wer...
SummaryHumans exhibit sex differences in competitiveness, sensation seeking and risk-taking attit... more SummaryHumans exhibit sex differences in competitiveness, sensation seeking and risk-taking attitude, which are required in sports. These attributes are often linked to prenatal testosterone (PT) exposure. The second-to-fourth digit length ratio (2D:4D) is an indicator of PT exposure. A lower 2D:4D indicates higher PT exposure and vice versa. Males generally have a lower 2D:4D than females. Sensation- and/or thrill-seeking behaviours have also been found to be negatively associated with 2D:4D. Boxing and judo are considered to be high-risk sports. Voluntary participation in judo/boxing in contrast to aerobics can be guided by such behaviours and thus have an association with lower 2D:4D. This cross-sectional study included 167 female students from a military academy in Wrocław, Poland. Of them, 119 had voluntarily chosen aerobic exercise, and 48 opted for judo/boxing. Height, weight and second and fourth digit lengths were measured. Physical fitness was assessed using Eurofit tests....
Sex Differences in Digit Ratio (2D:4D) Among Military and Civil Cohorts at a Military Academy in Wrocław, Poland
Journal of Biosocial Science, 2015
SummaryThe ratio of second-to-fourth digit length (2D:4D), which is generally higher in women com... more SummaryThe ratio of second-to-fourth digit length (2D:4D), which is generally higher in women compared with men, is a putative marker of prenatal testosterone (PT) exposure. Lower 2D:4D is linked with greater physical ability and strength, better sporting performance and a propensity towards jobs demanding greater physical ability. The objectives of this paper were to examine the sexual dimorphism in 2D:4D in both hands 1and compare this dimorphism in the students of military and civil courses at the General Kuściuszko Military Academy of Land Forces in Wrocław. The cross-sectional study compared 59 female and 118 male students from the military courses and 53 females and 64 male students from the civil courses. Besides calculating 2D:4D (2D/4D) for each hand, height and weight were also recorded. Physical fitness and endurance were assessed using Eurofit tests. Handgrip strength was measured using a standardized isometric dynamometer. In almost all physical tests, students in the m...
Sports activity and the level of selected morphological and functional characteristics and military skills in officer cadets at the military academy of land forces in Wrocław
Journal of Education, Health and Sport
Introduction. Physical activity is the most important factor out of all the elements of a lifesty... more Introduction. Physical activity is the most important factor out of all the elements of a lifestyle, one which determines the health, well-being and quality of life. Sports activities comprise the main form of physical activity which includes sport disciplines and sport events. Aim of the study. The main aim of the study was to evaluate the differentiation of morphological and functional development, as well as the level of mastery at selected military skills in officer cadets of the Military Academy of Land Forces inWrocław, depending on the level of their sports activity. Material and methods. The research material was gathered as a result of the tests conducted on officer cadets of the Military Academy of Land Forces inWrocław in 2012-2013. The study involved 91 men, the mean age of whom was 21.9. Examinations of the students included anthropometric measurements, physical fitness tests, spirometry, tests defining the level of mastery at selected military skills and a questionnair...
Journal of Science of the Gen. Tadeusz Kosciuszko Military Academy of Land Forces, 2014
Kształcenie kandydatów na oficerów, zwłaszcza dowódców pododdziałów, to ważny element działalnośc... more Kształcenie kandydatów na oficerów, zwłaszcza dowódców pododdziałów, to ważny element działalności szkoleniowej polskich sił zbrojnych (MON 2010). Obecnie podstawową ścieżką pozyskiwania oficerów-dowódców dla polskiej armii jest kształcenie absolwentów szkół ponadgimnazjalnych. Proces kształcenia kandydatów na ofice-
Purpose: Early identification of anthropological potential in swimmers is considered important to... more Purpose: Early identification of anthropological potential in swimmers is considered important to the recruitment and selection of children and adolescents to perform extensive and strenuous training. The aim of the research was a comparative analysis of the anthropometric parameters and indicators of adult, elite swimmers with people who had never trained for swimming. It was assumed that the specific characteristics of the swimmers' somatic composition referred to the laws of swimming biomechanics. Methods: Anthropometric measurements were taken in a group of elite male swimmers (N = 28), aged 17-24. The same set of measurements was taken in a homogeneous control group of students of physical education. An anthropometric profile significantly differentiating swimmers from the control group was constructed. Next, a linear forward stepwise discriminant analysis was conducted to investigate which indices can be used to distinguish the two groups. Results: It seems significant that a specific somatic composition trait of swimmers in the form of a relatively long shank was observed, which had not been observed in earlier studies. Additionally, indices of relatively slim hand dimension, and indices describing a "reversed triangle" shape of trunk, were the most powerful discrimination variables between the two examined groups. Conclusion: The results obtained cannot be generalised to the entire population of swimmers, however referring them to the laws of biomechanics of swimming allows for the continuation of research into identifying the prognostic traits desirable for success among young swimmers.
The aim of the present exploratory study was to assess the changes in urinary oxytocin (OT) conce... more The aim of the present exploratory study was to assess the changes in urinary oxytocin (OT) concentration during the period between five days before, and on the day of match, among rugby and handball players. Nine male rugby players with a mean age of 27.62 years (SD = 4.21) and 18 male handball players with a mean age of 17.03 years (SD = 0.57) participated. Urinary oxytocin level was measured by ELISA immunoassay as a ratio to the concentration of creatinine [mg/ml] measured through colorimetric detection. The relative level of OT to creatinine (OT/CRE) significantly differed between the type of player (rugby or handball) but not between times of measurements. Significant differences were only between OT/CRE level in a day of match in rugby players and in 5 days before match in handball players (p<0.05). There was no change in oxytocin levels during the time periods between five days before and on the day of a match, in either of the two kinds of players. The change in oxytocin...
Human females demonstrate higher religiosity than men in populations. Digit ratio (2D:4D), being ... more Human females demonstrate higher religiosity than men in populations. Digit ratio (2D:4D), being a putative indicator of prenatal testosterone, is associated in varying degrees with characters that show sexual dimorphism. A small number of studies have indicated that religiosity may be associated with the biological basis of sex differences in humans. The objective of the present study was to ascertain whether 2D:4D in religiously oriented seminary students is different from individuals in other occupations. The study followed a cross-sectional design. Male participants of the study included 13 seminary students, 18 military chaplains and 91 control students from study courses relating to civil occupations. Lengths of second (2D) and fourth (4D) digits and their ratio (2D:4D) for each hand, height and weight were the variables and 2D:4D was the outcome measure. The results demonstrated that the seminary students had significantly higher 2D:4D than both the military chaplains and civ...
PURPOSE Early identification of anthropological potential in swimmers is considered important to ... more PURPOSE Early identification of anthropological potential in swimmers is considered important to the recruitment and selection of children and adolescents to perform extensive and strenuous training. The aim of the research was a comparative analysis of the anthropometric parameters and indicators of adult, elite swimmers with people who had never trained for swimming. It was assumed that the specific characteristics of the swimmers' somatic composition referred to the laws of swimming biomechanics. METHODS Anthropometric measurements were taken in a group of elite male swimmers (N = 28), aged 17-24. The same set of measurements was taken in a homogeneous control group of students of physical education. An anthropometric profile significantly differentiating swimmers from the control group was constructed. Next, a linear forward stepwise discriminant analysis was conducted to investigate which indices can be used to distinguish the two groups. RESULTS It seems significant that a...
ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to assess the changes in urinary oxytocin concentratio... more ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to assess the changes in urinary oxytocin concentration during the period between five days before, and on the day of match, among rugby and handball players.MethodsThe study used a repeated measures design with the relative oxytocin level as the outcome variable measured at two subsequent points of time, viz., on five days before as well as on the days of matches. Nine male rugby players with a mean age of 27.62 years (SD = 4.21) and 18 male handball players with a mean age of 17.03 years (SD = 0.57) participated. Urinary oxytocin level was measured by ELISA immunoassay as a ratio to the concentration of creatinine [mg/ml] measured through colorimetric detection. Differences in oxytocin level were assessed by ANOVA with repeated measurements.ResultsThe OT/CRE levels significantly differed between the type of player (rugby or handball) but not between times of measurements. Tukey’s post-hoc tests revealed that significant differences were o...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020
The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in the estimated body composition of elite fema... more The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in the estimated body composition of elite female and male Polish handball players during a five-week preseason training camp. Height and weight were measured, while body composition was estimated with bioelectrical impedance in 18 male and 17 female handball players before and after the five-week training protocol. Components of body composition included total body water (TBW), fat-free mass (FFM), muscle mass (MM), and absolute and relative fat mass (FM). Weight and body mass index (BMI) did not change in males, but declined in females after five weeks of training. FM and %FM declined, while estimated TBW, FFM, and MM increased significantly after training in both males and females. In contrast, comparisons of log transformed ratios for changes in weight, the BMI and body composition in males and females, respectively, suggested that estimated TBW, FFM, and MM increased relatively more in females than in males, while FM and %FM dec...
The 2nd to 4th digit ratio (2D:4D) is a sexually dimorphic trait determined by the relative balan... more The 2nd to 4th digit ratio (2D:4D) is a sexually dimorphic trait determined by the relative balance of prenatal testosterone (T) and oestrogen during the intrauterine development of foetus. Males on average have relatively lower 2D:4D than women in population. Lower 2D:4D is very often linked with greater physical ability, strength, superior sporting performance and many personality traits and behaviours which are seen more among the males. Recently, lower 2D:4D were associated with military and police services among the Polish women. The objectives of this study were to examine whether 2D:4D differed between the students of a study course for future military service and a civil study course and whether sex difference in this ratio is present in both these groups. The cross sectional study included 50 boys and 42 girls enrolled in the uniformed course and other 56 boys and 50 girls of a general course in an upper-secondary School. The lengths of the second (2D) and fourth fingers (4...
It is believed that the second to fourth finger length ratio is an indirect indicator of fetal te... more It is believed that the second to fourth finger length ratio is an indirect indicator of fetal testosterone levels. It is pointed out that there is a relationship between the 2nd to 4th finger length ratio and the body structure in women and men. Studies on the relationship between body composition and 2D:4D finger length among military students have not been carried out so far. The work aims to determine the dependence of body composition and the quotient of the 2nd and 4th fingers length of military students. The research material has been gathered as a result of examinations of women and men studying military subjects. The study involved 55 women and 65 men. The tests included anthropometric measurements (body height, body weight, length of the second and the fourth fingers) and body composition measurements. As a result of the tests, no dimorphic differentiations in the digit length ratio (2D:4D) was indicated. The BMI, muscle mass, lean body mass and water in the body demonstra...
The ratio of the lengths of second finger (2D) to the fourth (4D) is a putative indicator of foet... more The ratio of the lengths of second finger (2D) to the fourth (4D) is a putative indicator of foetal hormonal exposure. The link between 2D:4D and physical strength or sports performance in not consistent. It was suggested that the association of 2D:4D with the sporting and physical ability is better demonstrated in the context of challenge and competition, either real or simulated. However the evidence is limited to a few studies till date. Aim: The objective of this study was to assess whether an aggressive video show could increase muscular strength and if 2D:4D moderated such increase. Study design: We compared outcome measures in two experimental conditions. Outcome measures: Lengths of second (2D) and fourth (4D) digits and their ratio (2D:4D) for both hands, height and weight, handgrip strength of both hands. Subjects: 250 healthy young adults (76 female). Results: The mean left-, right-and average HGS values increased after aggressive video watching than after control blank screen show. The increase was higher in females compared to males. The increase was higher among the individuals with lower 2D:4D, more clearly among females. Conclusions: The 2D:4D correlated negatively with HGS after exposure to challenge condition and this relationship is pronounced in females than males. Thus there is link between prenatal androgenisation and enhanced physical power in challenge situation.
Psychology and personality of individuals may have implications for choice of, and performance in... more Psychology and personality of individuals may have implications for choice of, and performance in sports disciplines. Individual- and group sports differ in psychological requirements, such as, competitiveness, sensation seeking and risk taking attitude, often required in sports. There is sex difference in human in these qualities, which also show association with prenatal testosterone exposures. Second-to-fourth digit lengths ratio (2D:4D) is an indicator of prenatal testosterone exposure. Lower 2D:4D indicates higher prenatal testosteron exposure and vice versa. Males generally have lower 2D:4D than females. This study cross-sectional study investigated the relationship of 2D:4D with team based- or individual sports. The participants were 421 Polish male students with a mean (+SD) age of 19.78 (+0.79) years. Among them, 139 were engaged in sports and 282 were not. Mean 2D:4D in each hand of individual sporting group was significantly lower than the team sports- and no sports group...
There is sex-difference in humans as regards aerobic efficiency, physical strength and endurance ... more There is sex-difference in humans as regards aerobic efficiency, physical strength and endurance and the sex difference is greatly dependent upon differential concentration of testosterone during different phases of growth and development including the intrauterine phase or prenatal growth. Second-to-fourth digit lengths ratio (2D:4D) is an putative indicator of prenatal testosterone exposure. Lower 2D:4D indicates higher prenatal testosterone exposure and vice versa. Males generally have lower 2D:4D than females. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between the fitness measures and 2D:4D in young adult Polish males. The study included 118 Polish male students first course in General Kościuszko Military Academy of Land Forces in Wroclaw. Their mean (+SD) age was 20.4 (+1.60) years. Eurofit test set was employed to assess physical fitness. Apart from height, weight, second and fourth digit lengths, hand grip strength was also measured by a standard isometric dynam...
Further Evidence of an Association Between Low Second-To-Fourth Digit Ratio (2D:4D) and Selection for the Uniformed Services: A Study Among Police Personnel in Wrocław, Poland
Journal of biosocial science, Jan 22, 2017
Males and females differ in their preference for occupations and sporting activities, and differ ... more Males and females differ in their preference for occupations and sporting activities, and differ also in risk-taking attitudes. In addition to other explanations, prenatal hormone exposure has been implicated in these gender-associated differences. The ratio of the relative lengths of the second-to-fourth digits (2D:4D) is a proxy indicator of prenatal exposure to testosterone relative to oestrogen. The 2D:4D ratio has been found to be associated with choice of occupation, particularly among females. This study investigated whether 2D:4D differed between police officers and a control group of civilians in Wrocław, Poland. Participants were 147 male and 55 female police officers and 91 male and 75 female civilian controls. The police officers had to undergo rigorous physical ability tests during recruitment and their job bore relatively higher risk, whereas the controls had a normal civilian lifestyle. Height, weight, hand grip strength and lengths of the second and fourth digits wer...
SummaryHumans exhibit sex differences in competitiveness, sensation seeking and risk-taking attit... more SummaryHumans exhibit sex differences in competitiveness, sensation seeking and risk-taking attitude, which are required in sports. These attributes are often linked to prenatal testosterone (PT) exposure. The second-to-fourth digit length ratio (2D:4D) is an indicator of PT exposure. A lower 2D:4D indicates higher PT exposure and vice versa. Males generally have a lower 2D:4D than females. Sensation- and/or thrill-seeking behaviours have also been found to be negatively associated with 2D:4D. Boxing and judo are considered to be high-risk sports. Voluntary participation in judo/boxing in contrast to aerobics can be guided by such behaviours and thus have an association with lower 2D:4D. This cross-sectional study included 167 female students from a military academy in Wrocław, Poland. Of them, 119 had voluntarily chosen aerobic exercise, and 48 opted for judo/boxing. Height, weight and second and fourth digit lengths were measured. Physical fitness was assessed using Eurofit tests....
Sex Differences in Digit Ratio (2D:4D) Among Military and Civil Cohorts at a Military Academy in Wrocław, Poland
Journal of Biosocial Science, 2015
SummaryThe ratio of second-to-fourth digit length (2D:4D), which is generally higher in women com... more SummaryThe ratio of second-to-fourth digit length (2D:4D), which is generally higher in women compared with men, is a putative marker of prenatal testosterone (PT) exposure. Lower 2D:4D is linked with greater physical ability and strength, better sporting performance and a propensity towards jobs demanding greater physical ability. The objectives of this paper were to examine the sexual dimorphism in 2D:4D in both hands 1and compare this dimorphism in the students of military and civil courses at the General Kuściuszko Military Academy of Land Forces in Wrocław. The cross-sectional study compared 59 female and 118 male students from the military courses and 53 females and 64 male students from the civil courses. Besides calculating 2D:4D (2D/4D) for each hand, height and weight were also recorded. Physical fitness and endurance were assessed using Eurofit tests. Handgrip strength was measured using a standardized isometric dynamometer. In almost all physical tests, students in the m...
Sports activity and the level of selected morphological and functional characteristics and military skills in officer cadets at the military academy of land forces in Wrocław
Journal of Education, Health and Sport
Introduction. Physical activity is the most important factor out of all the elements of a lifesty... more Introduction. Physical activity is the most important factor out of all the elements of a lifestyle, one which determines the health, well-being and quality of life. Sports activities comprise the main form of physical activity which includes sport disciplines and sport events. Aim of the study. The main aim of the study was to evaluate the differentiation of morphological and functional development, as well as the level of mastery at selected military skills in officer cadets of the Military Academy of Land Forces inWrocław, depending on the level of their sports activity. Material and methods. The research material was gathered as a result of the tests conducted on officer cadets of the Military Academy of Land Forces inWrocław in 2012-2013. The study involved 91 men, the mean age of whom was 21.9. Examinations of the students included anthropometric measurements, physical fitness tests, spirometry, tests defining the level of mastery at selected military skills and a questionnair...
Journal of Science of the Gen. Tadeusz Kosciuszko Military Academy of Land Forces, 2014
Kształcenie kandydatów na oficerów, zwłaszcza dowódców pododdziałów, to ważny element działalnośc... more Kształcenie kandydatów na oficerów, zwłaszcza dowódców pododdziałów, to ważny element działalności szkoleniowej polskich sił zbrojnych (MON 2010). Obecnie podstawową ścieżką pozyskiwania oficerów-dowódców dla polskiej armii jest kształcenie absolwentów szkół ponadgimnazjalnych. Proces kształcenia kandydatów na ofice-
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