Motoric Dominance and Sporting Excellence: Training versus Heredity

Abstract

In the past two decades, laterality in sports has become clearly established. In particular, the concept of motoric dominance in sports has been a fertile area for laterality research. The literature is consistent with the view that in certain sporting skills, sporting competitors with specific motoric-dominance patterns enjoy an advantage over other competitors and are overrepresented in some sports. Two theoretical interpretations have been offered to explain this imbalance of motoric-dominance distribution among sporting individuals: hypotheses of "innate superiority" and "strategic advantage." This paper presents an overview the two hypotheses, along with relevant work so far reported and identifies directions for further empirical research. The theoretical and practical implications of research on laterality in human motor performance are discussed.

The Influence of Gender, Athletic Events, and Athletic Experience on the Subjective Dominant Hand and the Determination of the Dominant Hand Based on the Laterality Quotient (LQ) and the Validity of the LQ

“…Furthermore, previous studies reported that lefthanded athletes are at an advantage in tactical aspects of fighting sport events (i.e., boxing, fencing etc.) (Grouios, 2004). The above-stated tactical advantage may relate to the high incidence of left-handers in high level athletes.…”

An Examination of Hand Preferences, Reaction Times and Some Power Parameters of Athletes in Short Track and Curling Branches

“…Differences between the players with respect to hand preference, reaction time and strength parameters contribute directly or indirectly to success during the matches. (Raymond et al, 1996), (Loffing et al, 2014), (Grouios, 2004) found in their researches that; dominant left-handed players of sports branches such as table tennis and swordplay influenced their opponents depending on their racket and sword handling style, and that the left-handed players were more successful in these sports branches. (Fişekçioğlu, 2011) reported that; left-handed taekwondo play-ers were more advantageous in exercising.…”

The dominant hand influence on technical and tactical activity and efficiency of top table tennis players in the world

“…Ова разлика је толика да је учесталост леворуких спортиста два до четири пута већа у односу на популацију вршњака (Grouios, 2004) . Интересантно је да је ова предност примећена и у играма голмана у фудбалу, за које није могуће тврдити да је то последица нарушене симетрије у извођењу техничко тактичких елемената (Wood & Aggleton, 1989) .…”