Sport Psychology Studies

Sport Psychology Studies

A Predictive Model of Sport Type Based on Biopsychological Traits: The Role of 2D:4D Ratio, Somatotype, and Motivational Preference in Talent Identification

Document Type : Original research

Authors
Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran
Abstract
Sporting success and sustained participation are increasingly recognized as outcomes of complex interactions among biological, anthropometric, and psychological factors. While previous studies have often examined these determinants separately, contemporary talent identification frameworks emphasize integrative and multidimensional approaches. This descriptive–analytical cross-sectional study involved forty semi-professional male athletes (20 team sport and 20 individual sport athletes; mean age ≈ 24 years). The right-hand 2D:4D ratio was measured using a digital caliper as a biological indicator. Somatotype was assessed based on the Heath–Carter method, with mesomorphy retained for analysis. Motivational preference was evaluated using the Paratelic Dominance Scale grounded in Reversal Theory. Sporting success was quantified through a composite index derived from training experience, official competitive achievements, and federation ranking. Data were analyzed using Spearman’s correlation coefficients and multivariate logistic regression with five-fold cross-validation.

The 2D:4D ratio showed significant negative correlations with paratelic motivational preference (ρ = −0.54, p < 0.001) and mesomorphy (ρ = −0.33, p = 0.02). Paratelic preference was also negatively associated with mesomorphy (ρ = −0.29, p = 0.03). The integrated logistic regression model, including 2D:4D, mesomorphy, and paratelic preference, significantly predicted sport type with an accuracy of 0.78 and an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.81.

The findings indicate that combining low-cost biological, anthropometric, and motivational indicators offers a practical multidimensional framework for predicting sport type. This model may assist coaches and sport psychologists as an evidence-based screening tool, enhancing talent identification efficiency and reducing reliance on subjective judgments in athlete development systems.
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  • Receive Date 04 October 2025
  • Revise Date 06 February 2026
  • Accept Date 06 February 2026