(5) there is no appreciable advantage as to accuracy or regularity that can be attributed to either foot. The evidence goes to show that the subjects are ambipedalous, if it be permitted to coin such a word.
In general, we find that, as far as constant errors are concerned,
(1) visual control does not help to reduce actual errors or promote uniformity;
(2) errors for foot-movements are less than the head records, and but little greater than the hand results, while the regularity for the feet is comparable to the hand, and much greater than for the head;
(3) all curves are horizontal;
(4) there is no particular advantage that either foot has over the other either as to accuracy or regularity.
The evidence is that the subjects were ambipedalous, as far as ability to reach a certain point equally well by either foot is concerned. The popular notion has been to the contrary, and it is a point of considerable importance to note the last point.
For example, in kicking, as developed by football trainers, it is commonly assumed that the right foot for right-handed subjects should be developed, and the opposite foot for left-handed men. Or again, in the case of a person lost in the woods and walking in a circle, it is observed that right-handed persons will turn to the left; probably because of the pace of the right foot being slightly longer than the left. My reply to this evidence will be that the data herein presented is for vertical movements of the foot, starting from the floor in every case, the subject being seated in a chair.
On the other hand, it is an entirely different movement, calling for a much different and greater muscular control in the case of kicking or walking that must be considered. For this reason the evidence, while conclusive within its range, is not offered as more than suggesting that the feet are equally well trained for the usual adjustments, and only an exhaustive investigation covering all possible foot-movements will settle the question.
The result for foot-movements for lines 1 and 10 cm. long is here summarized.