Publication:

Influence of leg dominancy over foot pressure and postural sway in middle age population: an observational study

Background The notion of limb dominance has been commonly used in the upper extremity, yet the two lower extremities are often treated as equal for clinical purposes. But both the lower limbs may not be perfectly symmetrical. There are conflicts of results with relation to leg dominancy, postural sway and foot pressure, which aided us to study the effect of lateralization on foot pressure and postural sway in middle age population.

Methods Thirty two normal subjects were recruited based on criteria, whose dominant lower limb was ascertained, Foot Pressure and postural sway was assessed by weighing scale and postural sway meter respectively.

Results Descriptive statistics and two way ANOVA were used as statistical analysis. Foot Pressure showed significant difference (P value <0.05) between dominant and non-dominant leg. On the other hand postural sway showed significant antero-lateral sway towards dominant side (P value <0.001).

Conclusions Lateralization of foot pressure is significant over dominant leg while postural sway is significant over anterolateral dominant side.