Author(s): HASHIMOTO, M., Institution: OSAKA KYOIKU UNIVERSITY, Country: JAPAN, Abstract-ID: 1871

INTRODUCTION:
Leg dominance is a key aspect of lateralized motor control and is closely linked to motor development and coordination in children. Previous research indicates that leg preference can vary depending on the type of motor task: locomotor tasks tend to show consistent dominance, whereas balance or stabilization tasks display greater variability in preferred leg among children (Goble et al., 2023; van Melick et al., 2008). Studies involving children around age 7 suggest that leg dominance is not always consistent across static and dynamic tasks, and the selection of a preferred foot may be influenced by task-specific motor demands. Despite these findings, the relationship between static and dynamic unilateral support abilities and functional leg choice during movement initiation has not been fully investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to examine whether static and dynamic support abilities are associated with the preferred stepping leg in elementary and junior high school students aged 7–13 years.
METHODS:
A total of 218 students aged 7–13 years participated. Static unilateral support was assessed using a single-leg stance with eyes closed for 10 seconds, recording errors such as postural sway or foot contact. Dynamic support was measured with a 10-meter hopping task on each leg, averaging two trials. The preferred stepping leg during a standing start was observed over three trials, with the most frequently used leg considered dominant. Agreement between support abilities and stepping leg was analyzed using cross-tabulation and Cohen’s κ coefficient.
RESULTS:
Considerable individual variability was observed in both static and dynamic unilateral support. Agreement between static and dynamic support for the dominant leg was low (Cohen’s κ = 0.28), indicating that static and dynamic dominance did not necessarily coincide. The preferred stepping leg during the standing start showed moderate agreement with both dynamic and static support abilities: κ = 0.42 for dynamic support and κ = 0.48 for static support. Cross-tabulation suggested that the stepping leg was slightly more related to static support than dynamic support. These results indicate that while static and dynamic support dominance are not always consistent, static support may exert a slightly stronger influence on leg choice during movement initiation.
CONCLUSION:
These findings suggest that unilateral support ability partially predicts the preferred stepping leg in elementary and junior high school students, with static support showing a slightly stronger association than dynamic support. The low agreement between static and dynamic dominance highlights the task-dependent nature of leg preference. Understanding these relationships provides insight into the development of lateralized motor control and may inform interventions in physical education and pediatric rehabilitation. Future research should examine longitudinal changes and task-specific influences to clarify developmental patterns of leg selection.