The influence of lower-limb dominance on postural balance

Abstract

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Maintainance of postural balance requires detection of body movements, integration of sensory information in the central nervous system and an appropriate motor response. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether lower-limb dominance has an influence on postural balance. DESIGN AND SETTING: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP) and at Hospital do Coração (HCor). METHODS: Forty healthy sedentary males aged 20 to 40 years, without any injuries, were evaluated. A singlefoot balance test was carried out using the Biodex Balance System equipment, comparing the dominant leg with the nondominant leg of the same individual. The instability protocols used were level 8 (more stable) and level 2 (less stable), and three instability indices were calculated: anteroposterior, mediolateral and general. RESULTS: The volunteers' mean age was 26 ± 5 years (range: 20-38), mean weight 72.3 ± 11 kg (range: 46-107) and mean height 176 ± 6 cm (range: 169-186). Thirty-four of them (85%) presented right-leg dominance (defined according to which leg they used for kicking) and six (15%) had left-leg dominance. There were no significant differences between the dominant and nondominant legs at the two levels of stability (eight and two), for any of the instability indices (general, anteroposterior and mediolateral

Muscle Latency and Proprioception in Non-Dominant and Dominant Legs of Healthy Sedentary Individuals

“…These studies have shown no differences between the limbs for the risk factors for ankle sprain, such as ankle strength and postural balance measures. Although muscle latency is not directly linked with strength and balance, our results showing no difference between the limbs in muscle latency correlate with those of previous studies with respect to limb dominance (17)(18)(19). Limb dominance was studied by Lin et al (17).…”

“…On the contrary to some studies showing differences in muscle latency and balance between the limbs in physically active individuals (15,16), comparisons between the limbs in terms of ankle muscle strength or balance represented no differences in sedentary individuals (17)(18)(19). Similarly, because of the anticipation that similar demands would be placed on the non-dominant and dominant ankles in sedentary individuals, we hypothesized that muscle latency and proprioceptive ability also would not be different between the limbs in sedentary individuals.…”

“…Studies investigating the effects of limb dominance in healthy sedentary individuals without any physical training experience mostly focused on ankle strength and postural balance (17)(18)(19). These studies have shown no differences between the limbs for the risk factors for ankle sprain, such as ankle strength and postural balance measures.…”

“…In another study, Alonso et al (18) also could not demonstrate any differences in postural balance between the limbs in volunteers who were not involved in any physical activity for a minimum of 6 months before the study. According to the evaluation of single-leg balance, the authors stated that there is no side differences between the limbs in sedentary healthy individuals whose physical activities consists of only daily activities and walking (18). Similarly, Hoffman et al (19) aimed to evaluate postural control with a singlelimb stance for non-dominant and dominant ankles in healthy inactive individuals.…”

“…All of the participants had no mechanical ankle instability prior to participating in the study according to anterior drawer and talar tilt tests performed by the same clinician. To be consistent with previous research studies, the leg that the participant uses to naturally kick a ball was defined as the dominant leg (11,15,18,(20)(21)(22)(23). The order of testing (non-dominant or dominant limb first) was randomly determined.…”