Response time, reaction time and movement time and the factors affecting response time

Question 1

What is reaction time?

Answer 1

Time taken from the onset of the stimulus, to the beginning of the response

Question 2

What is movement time?

Answer 2

Time taken from the start of the movement to the completion of the movement

Question 3

What is response time and the formula?

Answer 3

Time taken from onset of the stimulus to the completion of the movement
Response time = reaction time + movement time

Question 4

What is the difference between choice and simple reaction time?

Answer 4

Choice - numerous stimuli and/or responses
Simple - one stimulus and one possible response

Question 5

What is Hick’s Law?

Answer 5

• The relationship between reaction time and number of choices

Question 6

What are some factors affecting reaction time?

Answer 6

• Previous experience
• Anticipation
• Age
• Gender
• Temperature
• Drugs/alcohol
• Fatigue levels
• Arousal levels

Question 7

What is meant by the psychological refractory period?

Answer 7

• The body can only respond to one stimulus at a time
• If a second stimulus arrives in quick succession, the response is slowed
• One stimulus must be cleared before another stimulus can be responded to
• Due to the single channel hypothesis

Question 8

What is the difference between spatial anticipation and temporal anticipation?

Answer 8

Spatial - predicting what/where a movement will happen eg type of shot
Temporal - predicting when something will happen eg speed of the ball

Question 9

What are 6 ways of improving response time?

Answer 9

1. Concentration/pay attention to cues
2. Relevant practice/overlearning
3. Be at optimum arousal level
4. Mental rehearsal of the skill
5. Improve fitness level
6. Increased intensity of a stimulus