Bulging biceps may not be the only sign of a gym fanatic. A new study suggests finger length is linked to our desire to exercise, suggesting we could be on a course for fitness or fatness from a very young age.
The study, which was conducted using 1,000 mice, suggests prenatal stress hormones—and not prenatal testosterone, as was originally thought—is linked to digit length and voluntary exercise, and so helps shape the inherent desire to work out. The work comes from a team at the University of Alberta and University of California, Riverside.
“The research shows a link, or relationship, between the brain, behaviour and personality traits and the shape of the hand,” said U of A professor and lead researcher Peter Hurd. “It opens the door to the notion that aspects of one’s personality, in this case the desire to exercise, are fixed very early in life.”
Your hands say a lot about you—studies have linked finger length linked to anything from intellect, to musical talent and athletic ability.
