Hand preference consistency and simple rhythmic bimanual coordination in preschool children.
This study examined whether strength of hand preference is associated with rhythmic bimanual coordination. 27 preschool children ages 4 to 6 years, identified as 10 right-, 8 left-, and 9 mixed-handed, were evaluated on accuracy and stability with a bimanual tapping task requiring intermodal matching. The primary hypothesis was that consistent right- and left-handers would have an advantage over mixed-handers given higher hemispheric maturation, possibly the corpus callosum, which may be the main interhemispheric communication conduit. A significant difference was noted among the three groups, with right-handers having higher accuracy and stability. This finding suggests that bimanual coordination in young children may be influenced by handedness, which may also be related to the development of interhemispheric communication.
Mori
Shiro
S
Faculty of Physical Education, National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya, 1 Shiromizu Kanoya City, Kagoshima, Japan. 891-2393 or e-mail (moris@nifs-k.ac.jp). moris@nifs-k.ac.jp
Iteya
Misaki
M
Gabbard
Carl
C
D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003337:Corpus Callosum / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006225:Hand / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007699:Kinesthesis / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*