Distributions of Handedness and Footedness, and their Interrelationships in a Large Young Turkish Population: Sex-related Differences

Abstract

Objective: In the present study, the distributions of handedness and footedness, their relationships and sex-related differences were investigated in a large young healthy Turkish population. Method: Subjects were 5774 men and 3639 women students graduated from high school in different cities of Turkey. Handedness was ascertained by using the Edinburgh Handedness Scale. For footedness, foot used kick a ball to hit a target was accepted as dominant foot. Results: Percentages of left-handedness and footedness were 3.1 % and 11.9, respectively. Men were more left-handed and left-footed compared to women. The relationships between handedness and footedness and footedness and bouncing were also significant. The stronger association between footedness and single leg vertical jumping (SLVJ) suggests that the SLVJ can be used as foot preference test. Also, the incidence of crossed hand-foot dominance was higher in right-handed subjects than in left-handed ones. Conclusion: This suggests the shifting from left to right in hand preference associated with social pressure and but the stability in foot preference. Therefore, the footedness may be better index compared to handedness for cerebral lateralization