Does physical activity behavior vary by handedness?
OBJECTIVE
Explore whether adults'physical activity behavior or their use of physical activity behavior-change strategies, as derived from the Transtheoretical Model, differed by handedness.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey of 151 adults' hand preference (i.e., handedness: right, left, ambidextrous) and their use of the behavioral and cognitive processes of change, decisional balance scores (i.e., pros minus cons), self-efficacy, and their stage of change for physical activity involvement.


RESULTS
Left-handers showed significantly less use of the behavioral and cognitive processes of change compared to right-handers (M = 46.9 vs. M = 40.5 and M = 46.9 vs. M = 40.5, respectively). Left-handers were also significantly more likely to be in the earlier (i.e., inactive or irregularly active) stages of change relative to right-handers (84.6% vs. 48.1%, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Handedness may be a previously unrecognized, heritable correlate of physical activity behavior and the use of physical activity behavior-change strategies.
Cardinal
Bradley J
BJ
Department of Exercise and Sport Science, 220 Langton Hall, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009043:Motor Activity; D009922:Oregon