[Functional correlates of manual preference]

Manual preference develops early in life and does not become established until 5 years or more. Better performance of the preferred hand can be expressed in terms of higher spatial accuracy, lower kinematic variability and shorter latency of movements. These factors contribute to better ability of the preferred hand to rapidly produce alternated movements. Manual preference cannot be dissociated from hemispheric specialization, particularly for language functions. During normal motor activity, the 2 cerebral hemispheres (and the 2 hands) display complementary specialization.