Foot preference across the lifespan: Effects of target location and task complexity

Abstract

This study was designed to determine the factor(s) that influence the choice of the foot throughout the lifespan. To achieve this purpose, 86 right-footed participants (young children (5– 8), adolescents (10–14), young adults (18–25) and older adults (over 50) were tested on two tasks of different levels of difficulty, performed in three spatial locations (left, right, and midline) according to two levels of body posture: sitting and standing. Results revealed that the participants favored their preferred foot when the object was located in the ipsilateral hemispace and at the midline. They selected their non-preferred foot when the object was located in the contralateral hemispace. The participants used their preferred foot to a greater extent during the most complex task than during the easiest one and more often while standing rather than sitting. Finally, we have found a significant age effect. Young children often used the preferred foot more frequently than the other age groups. In conclusion, the findings of this study suggest that foot selection depends on task demand, environmental constraints, and a biological factor associated with motor dominance.