Dominant Foot Research Articles

Change of Foot Size With Weightbearing; A Study of 2829 Children 3 to 18 Years of Age

The change of foot length and width with age has been reported in a few anthropometric studies in the literature. However, the relationship with body height rarely is reported, and the dynamic effect of weightbearing on foot size has not been documented. In this series, 2829 children 3 to 18 years of age of equal gender distribution were included in the study. The foot length and width on weightbearing and nonweightbearing were measured with a special precision electronic caliper. The foot length and width were found to increase linearly from the age of 3 years until 12 years in girls and 15 years in boys. This was followed by a phase during which the increase plateaued. The foot length and width increased significantly on weightbearing at all ages in both genders with a mean of 2.1 to 4.4 mm or 3.1% to 4.8%, respectively. The foot length and width also were found to correlate significantly with the body height in both genders, with a correlation coefficient of 0.96 to 0.98. No significant differences were found between the sizes of the dominant and nondominant foot in either gender.

COEFFICIENT OF RESISTANCE (K) IN LOCALLY AVAILABLE FOOT VALVES IN COIMBATORE AREA

It is revealed that in Coimbatore pumpset market, the coefficient of resistance(K) is more in the case of hemispherical foot valves and it ranges from 1.66 to 5.24 in the case of dominant foot valves like Gowri, Green, DPF and Mohan Kumar brands. In the case of cylindrical foot valves like Kirloskar, Sujala and Jothi brands the resistance is less and it varies from 0.94 to 2.30. Hence cylindrical shape foot valves are more desirable from the energy conservation point of view.

Footedness and Mounting-Short Review and Two Case Studies.

Footedness is a personal quality like handedness. Footedness may be associated with moving ability during mounting, dismounting, and jumping movements. Occupational accidents have occurred during movement at different working levels, during the use of access and exit systems, and during the mounting of vehicles. Aging can also affect accident risk and body laterality. For example, falling accidents on stairs are common among the elderly. One reason for accidents may be that the structure of the access system or stair system is unsuitable for individual moving patterns depending partly on body laterality. Footedness and the way the feet are used may be contradictory to the demands of the moving situation, especially during uncommon or rapid situations. This contradiction may trigger disturbance during moving. The aims of this pilot study were (a) to review the literature briefly and (b) to describe the use of the dominant and nondominant foot by farmers and the elderly when mounting a tractor and stairs, respectively. The study also gives ideas for future studies based on both (a) and (b).

Plantar Pressures During Level Walking Compared with Other Ambulatory Activities

This study was designed to determine the magnitude of plantar pressures during level walking in comparison to other activities. These activities included climbing up stairs, going down stairs, a simple pivot while walking, and a crossover pivot while walking in normal individuals. Twelve volunteers, six men and six women, mean age 28 years, served as subjects. Data were collected on the dominant foot with an EMED-SF pressure sensor platform as each subject walked barefoot and did each of the five activities. Maximum plantar pressure (MPP) and pressure-time integral (PTI) was found in the metatarsal and heel regions. The results of repeated-measures analysis of variance tests showed that the five experimental conditions were statistically different for both MPP and PTI in the metatarsal and heel regions. Post hoc analysis indicated that MPP and PTI were decreased during the going down stairs condition in the heel and increased during the crossover pivot while walking and pivot while walking conditions for the metatarsal region.

Bilateral asymmetries in foot-ground reaction forces of candidates for a unilateral total hip replacement

Foot-ground clearance during the gait cycle swing phase is a critical locomotor adaptation to uneven terrain and non-optimal lower limb control has been linked to tripping and falling. The aim of this research was to determine ageing effects on bilateral foot-ground clearance during overground and treadmill walking.Ageing and walking surface effects on bilateral foot trajectory control were investigated in 11 older (mean age 73.8 years) and 11 young (mean age 22.5 years) participants. First maximum clearance after toe-off, minimum foot-ground clearance and second maximum clearance prior to heel contact were determined from sampled 3-dimensional marker coordinates during preferred-speed treadmill walking and walking overground.Preferred walking speed was lower in treadmill walking for both groups. In both groups non-dominant minimum foot-ground clearance and first maximum clearance were greater than for the dominant foot. A high positive correlation was found between these two swing foot clearances when older adults walked on the treadmill. Second maximum clearance was reduced in the older group but this was the only overall age effect. Treadmill walking reduced minimum foot-ground clearance relative to overground locomotion except in the older adults' non-dominant limb that revealed greater vertical clearance height in the non-dominant foot.Decreased second maximum clearance in the older group may be linked to reduced dorsiflexion. Greater minimum foot-ground clearance in the older adults' non-dominant foot may reflect functional asymmetry, in which the non-dominant limb primarily secures or stabilizes gait. The high positive correlation between first maximum and minimum foot-ground clearances suggests that intervention designed to increase first maximum clearance may also increase minimum foot-ground clearance. A direction for future research is to further understand ageing effects on lower limb trajectory variables in response to a range of walking surface characteristics.

The relationship between smoothness and performance during the practice of a lower limb obstacle avoidance task.

The relationship between performance (movement time) and smoothness was examined as subjects (n = 8) practiced a simple lower limb obstacle avoidance task. Smoothness was quantified by endpoint 3D jerk-cost, partitioned into magnitudinal and directional components. Data were collected with two WATSMART cameras at a sampling rate of 200 Hz for three sets of two trial blocks, including trials 1, 2, 13, 14, 25, and 26. Ten practice trials were performed between blocks of recorded trials. A DLT method was used to reconstruct 3D position coordinates of the fifth metatarsal of the subject's right (dominant) foot, considered to be the endpoint. After the data were smoothed with a fourth order, zero lag Butterworth filter, the time period was normalized so that a comparison of jerk-cost could be made between trials. Very rapid decreases in both movement time and jerk-cost measures were followed by gradual decreases, indicating that the movement became smoother as performance improved. Correlation coefficients between movement time and the various components of jerk-cost ranged from 0.70 to 0.78, supporting the hypothesis that moving more smoothly enables a person to move more rapidly during an obstacle avoidance task.

Effects of Cold Water Application on Isokinetic Strength of the Plantar Flexors

Cold (cryotherapy) is commonly applied to an athlete immediately before and/or after sports participation. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of cold water submersion (CWS) on isokinetic strength of the plantar flexor muscle group. Eleven women and five men (mean age 22.1 years, height 170.8 cm, weight 64.5 kg) with no history of ankle joint pathology were tested for peak torque, average power, and total work of the dominant foot at 60 deg/sec with a Cybex II isokinetic dynamometer. Before isokinetic testing subjects were randomly assigned to either CWS or an inactive rest period (RP). Subjects returned 1 week later to receive the opposite treatment and undergo isokinetic testing. The CWS consisted of placing the leg in a 15°C tub of water for 20 minutes. The RP consisted of remaining seated for a 20-minute period. Paired t tests were computed to determine if any differences existed in peak torque, average power, and total work between the CWS and RP conditions. Results indicated concentric isokinetic strength values were lower after CWS for peak torque, average power and total work of the plantar flexor muscle group. These findings indicate that concentric isokinetic torque, power, and work of the plantar flexor muscle group are reduced immediately after CWS. Further research should be undertaken to determine the length of time isokinetic output is reduced before returning to normal responses after CWS is present.

Isometric Strength of Rearfoot Inversion and Eversion in Nonsupported, Taped, and Braced Ankles Assessed by a Hand-Held Dynamometer

Previous studies have reported a reduction of athletic performance while wearing ankle orthoses. The present study investigated whether or not this observed reduction in performance was the result of a restriction of the associated muscles by the orthoses. Specifically, 36 male undergraduate students participated in this study to compare the effects of unsupported, nonelastic adhesive-taped, and Swede-O, New Cross, Air-Stirrup, and STS braced ankles on isometric strength of rearfoot inversion and eversion as assessed by a hand-held dynamometer. Subjects were stabilized in a seated position so that lower limb movement was restricted to the ankle. Each subject performed isometric inversion and eversion contractions under all six ankle conditions with the dominant foot. The isometric force was recorded from each of three trials during rearfoot inversion and eversion under each support condition. One-way repeated measures ANOVAs failed to detect any significant differences between the six testing conditions for inversion and eversion for both mean and peak force values. No alterations were observed in the isometric forces recorded during rearfoot inversion and eversion, thus, indicating that the orthoses did not constrict the lower leg musculature. These results suggest that, when selected by the clinician, any brace used in this study would not be detrimental to lower leg strength. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1992;15(5):229-235.

Tests of Lateral Asymmetry (The Dominant Hand, Foot, and Eye)

Tests of Lateral Asymmetry (The Dominant Hand, Foot, and Eye)

Relationships among Age, Sex, and Lateral Dominance for 3- to 6-Year-Old Children Performing Unilateral Stance

To assess influence of age, sex, and lateral dominance on children's unilateral stance, from 6 Houston area preschools and day-care centers, 121 subjects were randomly selected and judged by teachers as normal 3- to 6-yr-old children. The children were tested for eye, hand, and foot preference and were then classified on over-all dominance. Maximal duration of unilateral stance, or up to 60 sec., was tested on each foot. Means over age groups show progressive increase in duration of unilateral stance with increasing age. No sex differences were found. A stepwise multiple correlation-regression showed stance on the nondominant foot and age as the only significant variables in stance on the dominant foot. Clinically, this study can help in evaluating children for neurodevelopmental disorders.

RELATIONSHIPS AMONG AGE, SEX, AND LATERAL DOMINANCE FOR 3- TO 6-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN PERFORMING UNILATERAL STANCE

To assess influence of age, sex, and lateral dominance on children's unilateral stance, from 6 Houston area preschools and day-care centers, 121 subjects were randomly selected and judged by teachers as normal 3- to 6-yr.-old children. The children were tested for eye, hand, and foot preference and were then classified on over-all dominance. Maximal duration of unilateral stance, or up to 60 sec., was tested on each foot. Means over age groups show progressive increase in duration of unilateral stance with increasing age. No sex differences were found. A stepwise multiple correlation-regression showed stance on the nondominant foot and age as the only significant variables in stance on the dominant foot. Clinically, this study can help in evaluating children for neurodevelopmental disorders.

ラテラリティ現象の質問紙法による研究 : 主として利き足の定義に関して(第2報)

A questionnaire of laterality, which contains seventy items and other four questions that ask the consciousness of laterality of hand, foot, eye, and ear, was given to 123 female students. They were asked to answer on a five point scale. The answers were converted into a three point scale by summing up scales 1 and 2 or scales 4 and 5. Seven items in which more than a third of the subjects answered as impossible or unidentified were omitted in the analysis of this study. Twenty eight items asking hand preference were divided into four categories and tabulated respectively. One of the categories is the movement by one hand. (ex. throwing ball). The items in this category were chosen to identify the handedness. The other three categories contain the items of the movement with both hands. One category is the movement in which the dominant hand (functional hand) is clearly identified. Another is the movement in which the dominant hand is not so clear (ex. the hand which moves forward when newspaper is torn with both hands). The remaining category is the static movement (ex. the upper thumb when hands are folded). Twenty one items asking foot preference were divided into six Categories. These were jumping, starting of running, the movement from static state (ex.leg used for first step), functional foot (ex. writing letters by foot), static movement, and the complicated movement with feet and hands (ex. the foot put on the shoulder of shovel when a hole is dog in the earth). The other items were categorized into three clases, i.e., trunk turining, movement with eyes, and movement with ears. The main purpose of this study was to identify the footendess for the exertion of muscle strength and the footedness for the functional use. In Group H, where the functional foot was asked, many subjects answered the use of right hand for the functional use. It was proven that most subjects use the right foot in functional use as was hypothesized in the author's previous study. The dominant foot for the exertion of muscle strength was determined by the take-off foot for the broad jump and the high jump as was mentioned in the previous study. More than eighty per cent of subjects whose dominant foot for the exertion could be determined answered the same foot when the take-off foot of the hurdle run was asked. This justified the definition of dominant foot for the exertion of muscle strength mentioned above. There was no direct relationship between both footednesses. The results of the current questionnaire, when outcomes of the items on foot were excluded, were nearly the same as was reported in the previous study.

An analysis of lateral predominance in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with special reference to convexity of the curve.

An analysis of lateral predominance of 51 patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is presented. Determination of handedness, the dominant foot, and the dominant eye was performed. Postural equilibrium was studied by stabilometry, and the vestibular function was evaluated with electronystagmography. Central and peripheral nervous function were evaluated as reflected by electroencephalography and nerve-conduction velocity measurements. Results were compared with those obtained for a control group and were evaluated with special reference to convexity and location of the curve. Significant differences were found between patients with right convex curves and those with left convex curves in the distribution of eye predominance and in labyrinthine sensitivity. The direction of convexity was correlated with the predominant labyrinth for both groups. An analysis of these findings indicates that they can be of pathogenetic importance.

Right-left asymmetry of myelin development in epiretinal portion of rabbit optic nerve

DOMINANCE is the priority or preferential activity of one member of any bilateral pair of structures in the body. The phenomenon of dominant hand, foot and eye for example is well known in humans and this basic sidedness is thought to be cerebral in origin. Based on experiments on audiogenie seizures evidence has been produced for an asymmetry of cerebral function in certain inbred strains of mice1. In other animal species dogs are known to have preference of paw, and right–left eye dominance in the visual cortex of cats has been demonstrated2. Various theories have emerged to explain ocular dominance3,4. It is generally accepted that this is not associated with significant structural differences between the two halves of the brain5. Apart from morphological evidence for left–right asymmetries in temporal lobes of speech regions6, very little evidence for anatomical differences has been produced in humans or other animals. The rabbit retina is unique in having bundles of myelinated nerve fibres extending equatorially from the optic disk, which are unmyelinated at birth but in which myelination begins at 9–10 days of age7. I present here results which indicate that the sequence of myelination is asymmetrical between the right and left eyes, one being dominant.

Bromocriptine treatment of female infertility: report of 13 pregnancies.

Thirteen pregnancies occurred in 12 women who were treated with bromocriptine for infertility. Pretreatment prolactin levels were recorded in 11 patients and were normal in three. Five patients had suspected pituitary tumours, and they received irradiation to prevent swelling of the pituitary and the consequent visual field defects caused by the pressure of the swollen gland on the optic nerve. Ten of the 13 pregnancies have come to term, and all the babies were normal. When a patient with a pituitary tumour developed a visual field defect in the 38th week of pregnancy labour was induced and the defect disappeared after delivery. No multiple pregnancies occurred and there were no major complications.

Normative and reliability data on finger and foot tapping in children.

Speed of dominant and non-dominant hand and foot tapping was measured in 169 elementary school pupils from CA 5 to 14. Normative data for the total group and reliability estimates for parts of the sample over a 1-yr. and a 7-mo. period are presented.

A theory of ocular dominance.

DOMINANCE in the broadest sense consists of any sort of physiological preeminence, priority or preferential activity of one member of any bilateral pair of structures in the body. Thus, to write right handed or left handed is to have a dominant hand. To start walking, or climbing or putting on one's trousers always with the same foot is to have a dominant foot. The discovery of dominance is lost in antiquity. Handedness has been known for so long that there are words in common speech, such as the Frenchgauche, and the English gawky, which allude to it. Eyedness, however, is supposed to have received its first scientific mention in 1861, by G. M. Humphrey. In neurology, a first order expectation is that the lateralities (sidednesses) of the various dominances in a given individual will agree. This is because one primary laterality is in position to dictate the lateralities of