Foot-preference behavior: a developmental perspective.
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.
Gentry
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Department of Health and Physical Education, Louisiana State University, Shreveport.
Gabbard
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012016:Reference Values