We have all seen people who are naturally good at any sport they pick. While anyone can practice sports and get better, there is a question of whether the other people who play better are ‘gifted’ or are they doing things differently. The answer could be both! There are certain people who are naturally better at sports, and research has shown that there is a simple sign that may indicate the same. Take a look at your hand right now. Is your ring finger longer than your pointer (or index) finger? If it is, new research suggests you might have a natural gift for sports. Published in the American Journal of Human Biology, the study looked at many smaller studies, found that people whose pointer fingers are shorter than their ring fingers (this is called a lower 2D:4D digit ratio) tend to have better endurance and exercise tolerance tougher and longer workouts better. This research is thought to be the most complete study so far that connects finger length to how well people can exercise and perform in endurance activities. One expert from the study explained that if you have this lower digit ratio, you're more likely to do well in sports that need a lot of stamina, like long-distance running, biking, rowing, or team sports that require a lot of energy. This finger ratio could even be a cheap and easy way to check someone's basic heart and lung fitness. Study Found About Fitness and Finger Length The researchers looked at 22 different studies that included over 5,000 people from 12 countries. They specifically checked how the lengths of people's pointer (2D) and ring (4D) fingers were related to how fit their heart and lungs were. This included how well their bodies used oxygen during hard exercise and how long they could work out before getting tired. The results showed that people with a lower 2D:4D ratio (meaning their pointer finger was shorter than their ring finger) had better exercise tolerance and could keep going longer. However, this finger ratio didn't seem to be linked to other athletic abilities, like how much oxygen their body could use overall. Can Finger Length Predict Other Things About Your Health? Other studies have also connected finger length ratios to different traits, like being more physically aggressive or more competitive. The lower 2D:4D ratio has also been linked, though not strongly, to other signs of being good at sports, such as having a stronger grip, being able to sprint faster, and having more explosive power. Some research suggests this link is stronger in men and in sports that need a lot of stamina or sudden bursts of power. A few studies have even found that people with lower 2D:4D ratios have bigger jumps in the hormone testosterone during tough exercise, which might help them deal with discomfort. Also, top athletes often have lower 2D:4D ratios than people who aren't athletes. However, experts point out that this isn't true for every sport, and the effect is usually small. Other scientists, however, question how much finger length really matters in sports. They believe it's unlikely that finger size can truly predict someone's ability to endure. Most of the research on finger ratios has only shown connections, not direct causes. More studies are needed to clearly understand why these links exist and if they have any real use in finding talent or in athletic training. What definitely does improve your fitness, according to experts? Training. Regular exercise, both cardio and strength training, can hugely improve your heart and lung fitness. It's much more likely that your training will affect your performance than your finger length.