RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LEG DOMINANCE TESTS AND TYPE OF TASK

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships between common leg dominance tests and the type of tasks performed. Twenty-two subjects performed 4 manipulative and 2 standing balance tests. Leg preference was determined for each of the tests. Kendal tau correlations were used to establish the relationships between the tests. Significant correlations were found between the manipulative types of tests whereas the majority of the subjects used the right leg as the preferred leg. There were significant correlations between the two balance tests but little or no correlation between the balance and manipulative tests. This finding was the result of more than 50% of the subjects switching the preferred leg during the balance tests. Leg preference maybe an adaptation that depends on the nature of the tests required to perform.