Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to C Gabbard.
Previous evidence notes that attentional information in the form of visually guided stimuli can override motor dominance when programming reaching-to-grasp movements in contralateral hemispace. The present experiment verified these effects for 135 university students, using an auditory stimulus, and the pattern of behavior in the two modalities was quite similar.
With studies of motor behavior that feature manual control, it is suggested that the methodology used to select subjects in reference to handedness be reviewed. This suggestion is in view of the recommendation that simply asking subjects to identify their writing hand is inadequate to define handedness. Complementing this are recent findings in neuroscience indicating differences, at times significant, in information-processing behavior based on handedness classification. A brief review of recently published studies in two prominent outlets for motor behavior research confirms that most reports provide minimal (and sometimes no) information regarding handedness and the method used for assessment. Recommendations for addressing the problem include using an acceptable preference inventory, selecting only those subjects with strong lateral characteristics, and briefly describing the methodology used for the reviewing audience.
This study examined the mobilizing feature of footedness in a unilateral and a bilateral context. Analysis for 47 right- and 32 left-footed undergraduates indicated a strong relationship between preferred limbs in both conditions, with right footer showing the strongest concordance. Theoretical explanations for the origin of behavior and differences in right versus left concordance are discussed. Based on selected previous reports and present findings, it seems reasonable that for most persons the right foot may be preferred for mobilizing activities regardless of behavioral context.
This experiment examined the use of attentional stimuli for reaching in hemispace by strong right-dominant adults and children. Driving the hypothesis was the notion that developmental factors associated with use of attentional information may affect the programming of reaching movements in hemispace. Although the general pattern of responses was similar for both samples, children did not use attentional cues to program reaching movements in contralateral hemispace as effectively as adults. This result suggests that motor dominance and perhaps other factors were pivotal in motor programming for children. One possible explanation for the general behavior observed underlies an attentional hemispheric bias for a tendency to use the hand that is on the same side as the stimulus.
This study was motivated by the emerging hypothesis that right-handers are more strongly lateralized and perform better on various aspects of functional asymmetry than do left-handers. Right- and left-handers were observed for hand selection responses to a unimanual task of reaching for a small cube in positions of right- and left hemispace, prompting hemispheric decision-making related to hand dominance and attentional (visuospatial) stimuli. As predicted, left-handers did not respond with their preferred limb as consistently across positions as did right-handers. Additional inspection of the task suggests that being lateralized may not be a disadvantage in this context, and that environmental influence may play a significant role in hand selection for a particular motor event.
It is suggested that the popular definition of foot dominance (i.e., the limb preferred to execute a manipulative or mobilizing action while the other [nondominant] foot provides stabilizing support, e.g., kicking a ball) be reconsidered in light of understanding the functional characteristics of footedness and selected theoretical explanations. Relevance to future research designs and assessment methodology is discussed.
This study examined the association between laterality patterns of eye-hand and eye-foot described as congruent or cross-lateral, and visual-motor coordination skill (target throwing and kicking) by 606 4- to 6-yr.-olds. Speculation derived from contemporary reports of hand preference and motor coordination provided the hypothesis that persons exhibiting congruent patterns of eye and limb laterality such as right-eye and hand or right-eye and foot pattern would perform better than peers who exhibited other laterality patterns. To the contrary, this study yielded no significant differences in motor performance between groups with different patterns of preference. In view of past studies and present results, additional inquiry seems warranted before any consensus regarding the association between laterality and motor coordination can be established.
The primary intent of this investigation was to determine if stabilizing complexity (postural control) influenced lower limb selection while performing a bilateral footedness task. Right- and left-footed subjects (as determined by a bilateral preference inventory) were asked to stand on one foot and tap a telegraph key with the opposite foot repeatedly. The bilateral task was conducted in two conditions of stabilizing complexity, with the intent to augment focus of attention between stabilizing and mobilizing limb: simple (lights on) and complex (limitation of visual cues). Results indicated that in both simple and complex conditions, 50% or more of subjects switched stabilizing limbs or showed no preference when comparing preference inventory behavior to experimental conditions, suggesting, in general, that foot preference may be in part dependent on the context of the task and not tied predominantly to biological theory.
The developmental course of foot-preference behavior was examined in participants spanning early childhood to young adulthood. Results indicated significant age-group differences, with no effect for gender. Evidence suggests that footedness adheres to some variant developmental features characterized primarily by a significant shift toward greater right-footedness between 8 and 11 years, after which preferences remain relatively stable. Complementing this shift is a substantial decrease in mixed-footedness across the same time line. Of the existing models of hemispheric specialization, Annett's (1978, 1985) right-shift hypothesis, which considers cultural and environmental effects, provides a partial explanation for the findings. Hand-preference data were also collected and are contrasted with foot-preference data.
This study examined the association of nine patterns of limb preference (combination hand/foot), described as congruent or cross-lateral, with gross-motor agility of 302 4- to 6-yr-old boys. Based on contemporary reports of handedness and motor coordination, it was hypothesized that persons exhibiting a right-hand/foot congruent pattern would outperform their peers in other groups. However, analyses indicated no significant differences on total motor performance between groups with different limb patterns. Further nonsupport of the hypothesis was evident since the best performance was exhibited by the mixed-hand/left-foot group. In view of past studies and these results, it appears that additional inquiry is warranted before any consensus regarding the association between limb laterality and motor coordination can be established.
Prior research has shown that right-handed adults perform better on a speed-tapping task with the right hand and right foot, while left-handers execute more rapidly with the left hand and right foot. Speculation is that environmental influence, most likely driving experience, may account for the right-foot bias. To examine this hypothesis further, 48 young right- and left-handed children were tested on a similar protocol. Analyses indicated no significant differences in foot performance within hand-preference groups. Since these findings do not complement reports for adults, factors such as experience or maturation might contribute to the difference. Were patterns similar, the effect of environmental influence would be assumed to be small. However, much more evidence is needed before an adequate explanation can be developed. The issue of possible environmental influence is discussed from various theoretical perspectives.
Foot preference and performance characteristics of gross-motor lower-limb speed of tapping were examined in 606 4- to 6-yr.-olds. Analysis indicated no effect for gender; however, speed of foot tapping increased significantly across the three ages, suggesting an association with selected developmental (neuromuscular) processes. Contrary to earlier reports on handedness, there was no statistical evidence that mixed- or left-footers were at a performance disadvantage compared to right-footers. All groups performed best with the right foot, limb differentiation (right versus left) being significant for the right- and mixed-footed groups. Speculation about maturational and environmental influences is given.
This investigation examined the premise derived from recent reports, that children who are consistent right-handers are better coordinated than their left- and mixed-sided (inconsistent) peers. The observation of limb laterality was extended to include footedness. Two samples of children (N = 273) (foot laterality/hand laterality), matched for age and sex, were assessed for motor proficiency and compared according to limb preference (right, mixed, left). Overall, results indicated no significant group differences (ps > .05) in composite scores (upper-limb, lower-limb, combination) and total performance, within foot and hand laterality. In view of recent studies (noting differences between laterality groups) and these nonsupportive results, it appears that additional inquiry is warranted before any consensus regarding the association between limb laterality and motor coordination can be established. Suggestions for further inquiry are presented.
Recent investigations suggest that children who establish handedness early are better coordinated than those who lack this characteristic. To test this assumption, 160 4- to 6-year-olds were classified by consistent (established) and inconsistent (mixed) hand preference behavior and tested for fine motor performance using a finger tapping task. Analysis of the data revealed no significant differences existed between groups in finger tapping performance in relation to total sample, age or sex. Thus, contrary to recent reports, children with consistent and inconsistent hand preferences do not appear to differ in motor behavior as revealed by performance on a fine motor task. Furthermore, it appears that the performance of those with inconsistent hand preference presents a significant challenge to current theoretical notions of the genesis of handedness.
This investigation examined the performance and measurement characteristics of foot-tapping speed in 155 4- to 6-year-olds. Analysis suggested that, while the task does not differentiate between preferred and nonpreferred limbs, performance does appear to be age-related, that is, subjects tapped significantly faster with increasing age. Considering type of task and population, reliability was judged as moderate.
The intent of this investigation was to examine the potential influence of varying durations of physical exertion at different times of the day on immediate mathematical performance by 120 sixth-grade boys and girls. Subjects were assigned to two control and two treatment groups (Solomon Four-group Design), with treated subjects administered physical exertion (paced walking at controlled moderate intensity) for durations of 20, 30, and 40 min. at three different times of the school day [8:30 a.m., 11:50 a.m. (before lunch), 2:20 p.m.] over 3 weeks. After each exertion session, subjects were immediately administered a 90-sec. mathematical computation test. Analysis indicated no significant differences in mathematical performance at any duration in the morning, but scores were significantly higher at 11:50 a.m. and 2:20 p.m. at 30- and 40-min. durations in comparison to the 20-min. duration. There were no differences by gender of subject.
Recent reports suggest that footedness warrants consideration as a potentially useful measure of specific aspects of neuropsychological functioning. However, very few data are available concerning its developmental characteristics. This paper presents a review of studies describing the trichotomous distribution of foot laterality spanning the childhood years (ages 3- to 11). When compared to handedness characteristics in the same population, it was noted that right-side dominance (foot preference) was not as pronounced, and about twice as many exhibit no dominant limb (i.e., mixed). The predictable pattern of increasing right-sidedness with advancing age found in handedness was not obvious for foot laterality over this period of time. The mixed-footed phenomenon is addressed using the basic tenets of Annett's Right-Shift hypothesis and the unique cultural factors associated with foot behavior. Applied implications of these observations for neuropsychological assessment and motor skill instruction are discussed.
Associations between foot and hand preference behavior were examined in 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds. Analysis of the general trichotomous (right, left, mixed) distribution of preferences indicated no sex or age group differences, while noting that 39% were mixed-footed compared to 17% not favoring one hand over the other. Frequency of paired (congruent and cross-lateral) preferences revealed that two patterns, Right-hand/Right-foot (52%) and Right-hand/Mixed-foot (23%) accounted for the vast majority (75%) of subjects. Of the total number of right-handers, most (67%) preferred the right foot, while only 19% of the left-handers were congruent. Thus, supporting findings reported on older populations that right-handers are more consistently right-footed, than left-handers are left-footed. Behavior of the mixed- and right-handed sample was similar, suggesting an overall predominance of these lateral characteristics in young children.