A new study of over 1000 middle age men has just disproved the old wives tail that big hands meant that you were very endowed… Interestingly they found that men with a large difference in size between their index and ring fingers are at a significant higher risk for knee injuries. Some studies from a few years ago came out with the statement that men with a difference in finger length had more athletic prowess and higher levels of aggression, which still may be true, and also may directly correlate to the increase in knee injuries!

What does the size difference mean?
Women tend to have similar length ring and index fingers, whereas men usually do have a difference in length.  This study found that an person, man or woman, with a larger difference between these finger lengths, are due to a higher amount of testosterone exposure in the womb.

Why is this important?
The cartilage in the knee joints are sensitive to testosterone, and making you more at risk for knee injuries, if you have had testosterone exposure in the womb, so this difference in finger length can be a predisposing sign.  In a study performed in Norway, over 1000 people aged 51-92 were studied in regards to these findings and the participants were interviewed and X-rayed to look for damage.  28% of men reported a previous knee injury as opposed to 23% of women, and of the men that reported injuries 78% of those men had a significant difference in size between their ring and index fingers, which is pretty significant.  There was no significance with women who have difference in finger length; most likely because we have that lovely estrogen surging through our bodies to protect us!

What does that mean for me?
Really, you probably are a better athlete if you are a male with this condition, but it shouldn’t change how you live your life or play at all!  It might be more important further down the road, and we may be able to prevent knee injuries, but until then eat healthy, don’t over tax your body, stretch, and keep yourself hydrated….and maybe keep the aggression in check 😉

Yours in Good Health
B