Multiple measures of motor lateralization in human primates (Homo sapiens)

Laterality was assessed in 100 human (Homo sapiens) subjects through the use of five measures of motoric behavior in three categories: locomotor, manual, postural. Locomotor measures included leading limb for initiation of walking and whole-body turning. Performance and questionnaire measures were used to assess lateral hand bias. Postural bias was assessed as the weight distribution in quiet standing. Population-level biases on the manual and leading limb measures were to the right; on posture and turning, to the left. Locomotor measures were found to be altered by marching experience. Only the manual measures were correlated. We compare the results with those of nonhuman primate studies that have used similar measures and discuss some patterns of laterality common to human and nonhuman primates.