Foot Lateralization and Psychomotor Control in Four-Year-Olds

Abstract

The assumption that young children who have established a preferred and consistent use of lateral limb control may have an advantage in motor skill competence over individuals who do not exhibit established dominant behaviors, was the focus of this investigation. The research identified the lateral foot preferences of 153 4-yr.-olds and compared preference groups (right, nonestablished, left) with motor skill competence. Analysis indicated no statistically significant differences on the eight motor tasks among the three groups, however, right-footed children outperformed the subjects with nonestablished foot preference on six of the eight tasks. This speculation is in the direction predicted by previous researchers and demands further inquiry.