J Clin Neurol.  2006 Jun;2(2):113-117. 10.3988/jcn.2006.2.2.113.

Handedness and Asymmetry of Motor Skill Learning in Right-handers

• Cho J
• Park KS
• Kim M
• Park SH

• KMID: 1700743
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3988/jcn.2006.2.2.113

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The most remarkable behavioral asymmetry is handedness. The preferred hand often has better performance, motor strength, nonpreferred hand. However, whether these components are associated with skill learning is not clear.
METHODS
We evaluated healthy right-handers by setting a series of motor-performance tasks including skill learning, grip strength, and speed.
RESULTS
The preferred hand showed better skill performance and learning rate. However, the degree of the right-left difference in grip strength or speed difference did not correlate with the asymmetry in skill-learning rate. Therefore, although the preferred hand exhibits a better skill-learning capacity than the nonpreferred hand, asymmetry in skill learning cannot be explained by motor strength or speed.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that better skill performance of the right hand in right-handers cannot be attributed to the degree of hand preference score, strength, or motor speed.

Keyword

Handedness; Preference; Skill learning; Speed; Strength

MeSH Terms

Functional Laterality*
Hand
Hand Strength
Learning*
Motor Skills*

Figure

• 

  Figure 1 Grip strength, speed, and motor-skill performance. (A) Mean grip strength (kg). Scores for the right and left hands are not significantly different. (B) Tapping frequency (taps per 10 sec). The mean tapping frequency was faster for the right hand than for the left hand. (C) Motor-skill performance (seconds of correct tracking). The performance scores were better for the right hand than for the left hand at both baseline and after 10 trials. The improvement in performance across the 10 trials was 3.1±0.21 sec for the right hand and 2.08±0.15 sec for the left hand. Rt; right hand, Lt; left hand, Rt-1st; first trial with right hand, Lt-1st; first trial with left hand, Rt-last; last trial with right hand, Lt-last; last trial with left hand. *p<0.05).

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