Force modulation as a source of hand differences in rapid finger tapping

Significant differences favouring the right hand were found in the rate of tapping as indicated by the inter-tap interval, dwell (duration of key closure), the interval between force peaks and the variance of the force peak intervals. Additionally, relative to the left hand, the right hand used significantly smaller amounts of force and exhibited less variation in force. These data are conceptually consistent with Kimura's (1979) contention that the left hemisphere is uniquely specialised to control sequences of action such as postural transitions. (Abstract amended)