Footedness

Footedness is the natural preference of one's left or right foot for various purposes. It is the foot equivalent of handedness. While purposes vary, such as applying the greatest force in kickball, footedness is most commonly associated with the preference of one foot over the other for the task of kicking.

Overview

Footedness may be a factor in the development and expression of motor skills. It may also have implications for education and certain disabilities. Some people are naturally right-footed, others left-footed, and a few have no particular preference, or are equally comfortable using either foot for most activities, a condition known as mixed-footedness.

Determining Footedness

Footedness can be determined by a variety of methods. One common method is to observe which foot a person uses to step off from when running. Another method is to observe which foot a person uses to kick a ball.

Factors Influencing Footedness

Footedness, like handedness, is thought to be influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental, and cultural factors. Some studies suggest that footedness may be related to brain lateralization.

See Also

• Handedness
• Laterality
• Motor skills
• Brain lateralization

References

Footedness Resources
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