reaction time

reaction time definition

the time between the onset of the stimulus and the start if the movement in response to it.

e.g 100m sprint - time between gun and sprinter putting pressure on the starting blocks

movement time definition

the time it takes from starting the movement to completing it

100m sprint - time between first pressing on the start blocks and finishing the race

response time defined

time between the onset of the stimulus and the completion of the movement

reaction time + moevemtn time = response time

eg. 100m sprint - time between the gun going off and the runner completing the face

difference between simple and choice reaction time? HICKS LAW

simple reaction time - is relevant to a single stimulus and a single possible response

choice reaction time - several stimuli are given but only one must be selected for a response

• the more choices a person has, the kore infromation needs processing, and the longer it takes to process the information

• the slower the reaction time

factors affecting reaction time

• gender

• body temperature

• personality

• limb used

• likelihood of stimulus occurring

• arousal/ alertness

• warning signal

• stimulus intensity

• age

Hicks law

proposes if tennis serve only in one place there is only a number of one possible alternatives

as present more possibilities - their reposes time increases which is good for you as a player but bad for the opposition.