Abstract: This study aims to investigate any differences of fingerprint patterns between gifted and ordinary gymnasts in China in order to provide references of potential to identify those gifted gymnasts at their young ages. The comparison of 100 gifted and 100 ordinary gymnasts in this study has revealed some significant differences between the two groups for three categories of parameters: type of fingerprint patterns, composition of fingerprint patterns and TFRC. More specifically, the gifted gymnasts have significantly higher frequencies for the following traits: Wd of middle fingers of both hands, Wd of right index fingers and ring fingers; Lu/WS of thumbs of both hands, Wd/Wd of middle fingers of both hands, Ws/Ws of little fingers of both hands; five- digital pattern 03011 of left-hand and 01022 of right-hand; ten-digital pattern 07003 and 05032 of both hands. A more symmetry of FRC figures between left hands and right hands is also noticed in the gifted gymnasts.

Key words: Gifted Gymnasts; Fingerprint Patterns; Sports