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Proprioceptive target matching asymmetries in left-handed individuals

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Abstract

In right-handers, the ability to reproduce proprioceptive targets has been shown to be asymmetric, favoring the non-preferred left arm. The present study sought to determine whether a similar arm/hemisphere asymmetry exists for left-handers. Ten strong left-handed adults used the left or right arm to perform proprioceptive target matching tasks that varied in processing demands (i.e., need for memory, interhemispheric transfer) and target amplitude (20, 40°). Similar to right-handers, left-handed individuals had smaller total errors when matching with the non-preferred arm. This asymmetry was greatest in conditions with increased processing demands and larger amplitude targets. These results provide the first evidence to date of right arm/left hemisphere dominance for proprioceptive target matching in left-handers that is the “mirror image” of right-handers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Daniel J. Goble, Brittany C. Noble & Susan H. Brown

  2. Department of Biomedical Kinesiology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Tervuurse Vest 101, Leuven, Heverlee, 3001, Belgium

    Daniel J. Goble

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  1. Daniel J. Goble
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  2. Brittany C. Noble
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  3. Susan H. Brown
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Correspondence to Daniel J. Goble.

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Goble, D.J., Noble, B.C. & Brown, S.H. Proprioceptive target matching asymmetries in left-handed individuals. Exp Brain Res 197, 403–408 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-009-1922-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-009-1922-2

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