In the elite domain of interactive sports, athletes who demonstrate a left preference (e.g., holding a weapon with the left hand in fencing or boxing in a ‘southpaw’ stance) seem overrepresented. Such excess indicates a performance advantage and was also interpreted as evidence in favour of frequency-dependent selection mechanisms to explain the maintenance of left-handedness in humans. To test for an overrepresentation, the incidence of athletes' lateral preferences is typically compared with an expected ratio of left- to right-handedness in the normal population. However, the normal population reference values did not always relate to the sport-specific tasks of interest, which may limit the validity of reports of an excess of ‘left-oriented’ athletes. Here we sought to determine lateral preferences for various sport-specific tasks (e.g., baseball batting, boxing) in the normal population and to examine the relationship between these preferences and handedness. To this end, we asked 903 participants to indicate their lateral preferences for sport-specific and common tasks using a paper-based questionnaire. Lateral preferences varied considerably across the different sport tasks and we found high variation in the relationship between those preferences and handedness. In contrast to unimanual tasks (e.g., fencing or throwing), for bimanually controlled actions such as baseball batting, shooting in ice hockey or boxing the incidence of left preferences was considerably higher than expected from the proportion of left-handedness in the normal population and the relationship with handedness was relatively low. We conclude that (i) task-specific reference values are mandatory for reliably testing for an excess of athletes with a left preference, (ii) the term ‘handedness’ should be more cautiously used within the context of sport-related laterality research and (iii) observation of lateral preferences in sports may be of limited suitability for the verification of evolutionary theories of handedness.

Percentage left-handedness distribution in both the study group and the control group, by age.

Numbers and percentages of consistent left-handers (CLH), inconsistent left-handers (ILH), ambidexter with a tendency towards left-handedness (ALH), ambidexter with a tendency towards right-handedness (ARH), inconsistent right-handers (IRH) and consistent right-handers (CRH) for the combined PCSK6 rs10523972 alleles.

The global market for left-handed outswing front entry doors presents a compelling investment opportunity. While precise market size data for this niche segment is unavailable, we can extrapolate from the broader entry door market. Considering the overall entry door market's substantial size (let's assume a global market value of $25 billion in 2025 for illustrative purposes, reflecting a reasonable estimate based on industry reports), and assuming left-handed outswing doors constitute approximately 5% of the total market (a conservative estimate considering left-handed individuals comprise around 10% of the population but acknowledging a lower adoption rate due to niche specifics), the 2025 market size for this segment is estimated at $1.25 billion. Driving growth are factors such as increasing home construction and renovation activity, rising demand for customized and aesthetically pleasing doors, and a growing focus on accessibility and inclusivity, catering to the needs of left-handed individuals. Key trends include the integration of smart home technology, the preference for energy-efficient materials like fiberglass and steel, and innovative designs that enhance both security and curb appeal. However, constraints include fluctuating raw material prices, supply chain disruptions, and regional economic variations. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is projected to be 4.5% from 2025 to 2033, indicating steady market expansion during this period. This growth will be influenced by market penetration in developing economies and the continued adoption of eco-friendly, high-performance door materials. The segmentation of the left-handed outswing front entry door market mirrors the larger entry door market. Material type (aluminum, glass, wood, steel, fiberglass) and application (commercial, residential) are key differentiators. Aluminum and fiberglass are expected to show robust growth due to their durability and cost-effectiveness. The residential segment is anticipated to dominate, fueled by increased homeownership rates and renovation projects. Key players in the market, including established manufacturers like Andersen, Jeld-Wen, and Pella, are strategically focusing on innovation and differentiation to maintain their competitive edge. Regional growth patterns reflect global construction and economic activity, with North America and Europe projected as major markets. A deeper regional breakdown would reveal variations based on factors like building codes, cultural preferences, and economic conditions.

The London Borough Profiles help paint a general picture of an area by presenting a range of headline indicator data in both spreadsheet and map form to help show statistics covering demographic, economic, social and environmental datasets for each borough, alongside relevant comparator areas. The London Borough Atlas does the same but provides further detailed breakdowns and time-series data for each borough. The full datasets and more information for each of the indicators are usually available on the London Datastore. A link to each of the datasets is contained in the spreadsheet and map. London Borough Profiles On opening the Microsoft Excel version, a simple drop down box allows you to choose which borough profile you are interested in. Selecting this will display data for that borough, plus either Inner or Outer London, London and a national comparator (usually England where data is available). To see the full set of data for all 33 local authorities in London plus the comparator areas in Excel, click the 'Data' worksheet. A chart and a map are also available to help visualise the data for all boroughs (macros must be enabled for the Excel map to function). The data is set out across 11 themes covering most of the key indicators relating to demographic, economic, social and environmental data. Sources are provided in the spreadsheet. Notes about the indicator are provided in comment boxes attached to the indicator names. For a geographical and bar chart representation of the profile data, choose the InstantAtlas version. Choose indicators from the left hand side. Click on the comparators to make them appear on the chart and map. Sources, links to data, and notes are all contained in the box in the bottom right hand corner. These profiles include data relating to: Population, Households (census), Demographics, Migrant population, Ethnicity, Language, Employment, NEET, DWP Benefits (client group), Housing Benefit, Qualifications, Earnings, Volunteering, Jobs density, Business Survival, Crime, Fires, House prices, New homes, Tenure, Greenspace, Recycling, Carbon Emissions, Cars, Public Transport Accessibility (PTAL), Indices of Multiple Deprivation, GCSE results, Children looked after, Children in out-of-work families, Life Expectancy, Teenage conceptions, Happiness levels, Political control, and Election turnout. London Borough Atlas To access even more data at local authority level, use the London Borough Atlas. It contains data about the same topics as the profiles but provides further detailed breakdowns and time-series data for each borough. There is also an InstantAtlas version available. The London boroughs are: City of London, Barking and Dagenham, Barnet, Bexley, Brent, Bromley, Camden, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Harrow, Havering, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Kingston upon Thames, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Newham, Redbridge, Richmond upon Thames, Southwark, Sutton, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Wandsworth, Westminster. You may also find our small area profiles useful - Ward, LSOA, and MSOA.