Abstract

Reaction time is the interval time between the presentation of a stimulus and the initiation of the muscular response to that stimulus. Reaction time measurement helps in determining sensory motor association and performance of an individual. It determines the alertness of a person because how quickly a person responds to a stimulus depends on his reaction time. Physical activity increases the alertness of the body and hence is an important parameter in cases of visual and audio reaction time.

Objective: Primary to Compare Visual and Auditory Reaction Time in Physically Active and Inactive Male and Female Adolescents, Secondary- (1) To classify adolescents into physically active and inactive children using the PAQ-A questionnaire; (2) To assess the visual and auditory reaction time in both the physically active and inactive adolescents.

Methods: The study was carried out in 67 physically active and inactive adolescents (age 13 to 15). There were 48 boys (physically active-36 and physically inactive-12) and 19 (physically active-12 and physically inactive-7). Auditory and visual reaction time was recorded by reaction time apparatus by Anand Agency-Pune. Physical Activity Score was carried out by PAQ-A (Physical Activity Questionnaire in Adolescents).

Results and Conclusion: Comparison of reaction time was done using unpaired t test. Physically active adolescents showed a lower reaction time as compared to the lesser physically active adolescents for Auditory Reaction Time (ART) t=0.412 (p<0.05) and Visual Reaction Time (VRT) t=1.355 (p<0.05) which indicates statistical significant value. Thus it can be concluded that physical active adolescents have shorter reaction time indicating better ability to respond to a stimulus, as compared to physically inactive.

Keywords: Visual reaction time; Auditory reaction time; Physically active; Physically inactive; Adolescents; Gender