Being ambidextrous is an uncommon ability that arouses curiosity in neuroscience and sports. It is defined as the ability to use both hands or both feet with equal dexterity, and although it is very rare to find it in its pure form, there are cases in which practice and effort have allowed the development of ambidextrous skills. Soccer player Ousmane Dembele is one of the best-known examples in the sporting world. The player has managed to use both feet with similar effectiveness, becoming an unpredictable and versatile player. Behind this ability there are both brain factors and the discipline of training.
The reason behind being ambidextrous
From a neurological point of view, ambidextrous people have more balanced brain development, as they use both hemispheres in a more synchronised way, according to Univision’s specialised blog. While most people have a dominant hemisphere, ambidextrous people tend to show less specialisation, which gives them remarkable brain plasticity. This flexibility allows them to adapt better and develop skills on both sides of the body.
To this must be added the role of training. Many sportsmen and women, like Dembele, are not born with perfect ambidexterity, but build it through constant practice. The repetition of technical gestures, such as kicking or controlling the ball with both feet, reinforces coordination and increases dexterity in the less dominant limb. In this way, what might be an initial limitation becomes a strategic advantage. However, experts stress that absolute ambidexterity is extremely rare, and that it is more common to speak of degrees of mixed ability that are perfected through work and discipline.
In sports, it’s an advantage
In sports, the ability to master both sides of the body gives a unique versatility. For a soccer player, for example, being able to shoot, dribble or cross with either foot makes it more difficult for defenders and opens up a wider range of resources on the field. In Dembele’s case, his ambidextrous ability has made him an especially valuable player, winning the Ballon d’Or this year, as it allows him to move effectively on both the right and left flanks, without his performance depending on a dominant leg.
This type of skill not only reflects a brain with great plasticity, but also the athlete’s perseverance in training both sides of the body. Being ambidextrous, although uncommon in the general population, can be enhanced.
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