Symmetry and performance in middle distance runners

International Journal of Sports Medicine
J T Manning, L J Pickup

Abstract

Deviations from perfect symmetry in paired traits such as ear size and nostril width may indicate developmental instability and/or short-term fluctuations in hormones. In both cases symmetry is thought to be optimal and to indicate high phenotypic quality. The purpose of this work was to determine the relationship between symmetry and performance in middle-distance runners. Fifty male subjects participated in this study. Deviations from perfect bilateral symmetry were measured in seven traits; ear size, nostril width, 2nd to 5th digit length and wrist width. After measurements were made the subjects were ranked for athletic ability and they reported their best 800 metre and 1500 metre times. Symmetric subjects had higher rankings for athletic ability (nostrils, p<0.001 and ears, p< 0.001), lower best 800 metre times (nostrils, p<0.05 and ears, p<0.01) and lower best 1500 metre times (3rd digit, p<0.01 and ears, p<0.05) than asymmetric subjects. This conclusion remained essentially the same after Bonferroni adjustment for multiple tests and when experience and age were controlled for in multiple regression tests. We conclude that symmetry in traits such as nostrils and ears indicates good running ability. It may therefore be use...Continue Reading

Citations

Jun 6, 2003·The Veterinary Journal·Christian Peter Klingenberg
Feb 22, 2001·Evolution and Human Behavior : Official Journal of the Human Behavior and Evolution Society·J T. Manning, R P. Taylor
Apr 3, 2001·Evolution and Human Behavior : Official Journal of the Human Behavior and Evolution Society·M L. LalumièreM E. Rice
Aug 20, 2008·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·William M BrownHui Yu
Apr 22, 2003·Journal of Sports Sciences·Grant R TomkinsonMax Martin
Sep 30, 2006·British Journal of Sports Medicine·S N PaulT D Spector
Mar 8, 2005·The Cleft Palate-craniofacial Journal : Official Publication of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association·Katherine NeiswangerMary L Marazita
Jan 13, 2006·The Cleft Palate-craniofacial Journal : Official Publication of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association·Seth M WeinbergMary L Marazita
Jul 14, 2007·Genetica·S Craig Roberts, Anthony C Little
Mar 11, 2008·Genetica·S Craig Roberts, Anthony C Little
Sep 29, 2005·Psychological Bulletin·Karl GrammerJohn T Manning
Jun 16, 2012·Archives of Sexual Behavior·Robert O Deaner
Nov 22, 2012·Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research·Grant V Overmoyer, Raoul F Reiser
May 1, 2009·Computers in Human Behavior·Karl F MacDormanClinton T Koch
Feb 24, 2007·Biological Psychology·Kirsten A Oinonen, Dwight Mazmanian
Jun 20, 2007·Journal of Personality·Nicholas Tester, Anne Campbell
Jun 17, 2015·Homo : internationale Zeitschrift für die vergleichende Forschung am Menschen·M Krzykała, P Leszczyński
Oct 25, 2013·The Veterinary Journal·Kirsty Leśniak
Dec 24, 2005·Nature·William M BrownRobert Trivers
Mar 28, 2007·American Journal of Primatology·Jon A Sefcek, James E King
Jun 24, 2010·Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research·Yuji KobayashiNaokata Ishii
Nov 10, 2017·The Journal of Hand Surgery Asian-Pacific Volume·Cormac W JoyceMichael O' Shaughnessy
May 10, 2018·Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research·Sean J Maloney
Mar 4, 2003·Journal of Applied Physiology·Katherine J Green, David G Rowbottom
Mar 10, 2010·The Cleft Palate-craniofacial Journal : Official Publication of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association·Da-wei LuQian Zheng
May 7, 2020·Frontiers in Neuroscience·Giulia D'ArgenioCosimo Urgesi
Sep 16, 2021·American Journal of Human Biology : the Official Journal of the Human Biology Council·Moses BanyehLawrence Quaye

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.