Effect of Handedness and Footedness on Some Motoric Characteristics in Amateur Soccer Players

Abstract

The present study aims to compare the strength of right and left legs and reaction times of soccer players depending on their hand and foot preferences. The study included 92 volunteers chosen from amateur soccer players. The measurements conducted on the subjects were anthropometric characteristics, foot reaction times (sound, light) and right and left foot squat parameters. The t-test was used for statistical procedures. Among the amateur soccer players who participated in this study, it was found that 19.57% used left hand and 67.39% used right hand as preferred. Soccer players using both hands equally were found with a rate of 13.4%. In terms of foot preference, it was found that 22.83% of the participants used left foot and 43.48% of the participants used right foot as preferred. The soccer players using both feet equally was found as 33.70%. No significant difference was found between right handers and left handers in reaction time measurements when the soccer players were grouped by hand preference. When compared with left footed players (0.29 sec), only the right foot sound reaction time of right footed players was significantly shorter (0.21 sec) at p<. 05 level. Statistically significant correlation was found between soccer players’ hand and foot preference at a level of p< 0.01. Left footed players had significantly higher left leg mean squat (37.19 kg) when compared with right footed players (32.27 kg). No significant difference was found between right footed (35.36 kg) and left footed (33.98) subjects in terms of mean of right leg squat. Conclusion: According to the hand preference, the proportion of those who use equally two feet increased. Reaction times and force's squat of the dominant hands and feet were better. Training programs for soccer players planned according to individual characteristics including footedness may result in performance increase and decrease in injury as a result of reduced strength and reaction time asymmetry between legs and arms.