reaction time

 According to the Striatal Beat Frequency model, timing behavior is associated with subcortical structures. Substantial study of timing behavior necessitates encompassing more parameters, including reaction time. The present study aimed to assess the timing function of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) according to the Striatal Beat Frequency (SBF) model of timing behavior, with particular regard to reaction time.

A total of 45 MS patients were recruited from Poursina Hospital in Rasht. The patients'  magnetic resonance imaging scans were examined by a neurologist to inspect and specify the number and location of MS plaques. The simple and selective reaction time of 31 patients was evaluated. Both parametric and non-parametric tests were used to analyze the data via SPSS software (version 26).

Both simple and selective reaction time was significantly correlated with age, education, body mass index, number of symptoms, and score of disability. After controlling the gender variable, it was revealed that the thalamus was the most affected part of the brain in MS patients; nonetheless, the lesions in other areas were less related to the reaction time in patients.

Simple and selective reaction time was correlated with the function of the thalamus and subthalamic nuclei in MS patients. This study provided valuable insights regarding the usefulness of reaction time as a relevant index of timing behavior in modeling and comprehending timing behavior.

In sports and physical education, success requires a range of competencies. Structuring activities within a cooperative or competitive social context can enhance motivation and performance.

The study aimed to investigate the influence of different social contexts, specifically competition and cooperation, on motor, cognitive, and affective behaviors among physical education students.

We focused on two predominant social contexts: cooperation and competition. For this purpose, seventy participants (Age: 21.96±1.92 years, Height: 1.69±0.09m, Weight: 64.67±10.37kg, 28 males) voluntarily participated in the present study. Each was paired and given instructions to either work collaboratively with their partner or compete against them. For motion analysis, we utilized Adobe Premier software; its suitability for this study was determined by its capability to capture detailed motion kinematics. Affective states were gauged through a specialized deep-learning model designed for facial expression recognition. Further details about the model's training and specificity are provided within the main manuscript.

Participants exhibited shorter movement durations in cooperative (679±320 ms; p<0.001) and competitive contexts (707±356 ms; p<0.001) compared to individual scenarios. Similarly, the accuracy was enhanced in cooperative and competitive conditions. Reaction time was notably quicker in the competition setting (186 ±78 ms) compared to individual contexts, especially with positive (180±150 ms) and negative stimuli. Emotional correspondence was significantly higher in cooperative and competitive settings, particularly in response to positive stimuli. However, emotional stability did not significantly differ across social contexts.

Drawing upon insights from neuroimaging, developmental, and social psychology, our results highlight the significant influence of social contexts, especially cooperation and competition, on motor function, responsiveness, and emotional well-being during dart-shooting tasks. In practical terms, educators and trainers in physical education can use these findings to optimize student and athlete performance. By designing activities that emphasize cooperative interactions, we can not only enhance motor skills but also improve emotional states. Furthermore, the implications of this study extend beyond sports. Other learning or professional environments could benefit from a thoughtful balance between cooperative and competitive elements, potentially transforming training methodologies and team dynamics across various fields.

 Physical features, such as body balance and reaction time, can significantly influence the overall performance of Padel's professional athletes.

 In this paper, we aimed to compare motor performance abilities before and after exhaustion in amateur padel athletes.

 A total of 32 padel amateur athletes participated in our study and performed Y balance test trials and a complex sensometric examination to measure their capabilities before and after exhaustion by the Bruce test.

 Our results showed a significant change in both balance and reaction time before and after exhaustion (P < 0.05 for both parameters), indicating that fatigue had a negative effect on the motor performance of padel players. Cohen’s d was considered moderate (0.2 < d < 0.5) both for balance (d = 0.44) and reaction time (d = 0.41). Data suggested that amateur padel athletes struggled to maintain or improve their balance quality after long-term physical activity, showing the importance of high-intensity training for adapting the central nervous system. Reaction time is negatively affected by fatigue compared to resting reaction time due to the exhaustion effect of the muscle reception of central nervous system stimuli.

 Based on our results, focusing on body balance and reaction time training would help reduce the negative impact of fatigue, improve the effectiveness of technical abilities, increase the possibility of scoring during a competitive game, and prevent injuries. Coaches of amateur players should focus on improving the physical abilities of players and give more importance to fitness training in addition to padel training.

Many studies have investigated ankle sprain injury and it has been reported that in 80% of cases, ankle sprains lead to functional ankle instability (FAI). The conventional exercises for FAI rehabilitation neglect the associated neurocognitive dysfunction.

This study aims to evaluate the effect of Wii Fit Plus as a virtual reality training on neurocognitive function in athletes with FAI compared to athletes without FAI.

In this matched randomized clinical trial study, 25 athletes with unilateral FAI and 25 athletes without FAI were assigned to two groups randomly: 1) the intervention group, subjects performed the Wii training including balance and strengthening games three times a week for 12 sessions and 2) subjects in the control group received no intervention. Before and after the training, the neurocognitive function was assessed through the computerized-reaction time test based on the detection or identification of ‘X’ mark on a computer monitor. Between-groups and within-group comparisons were done by the independent T-test and paired T-test, respectively.

A significant difference was observed in mean differences of neurocognitive function between athletes with and without FAI. Comprising before and after training was significant in the intervention group. 

Based on the results, the information-processing speed of athletes with FAI increased after the training, utilized for rehabilitation protocols.

Futsal may have problems with the condition due to injuries due to the nature of the game requiring high-intensity performance and may harm injuries and normal athletic performance.

This study aimed to measure the speed, agility, quickness, dynamic balance, active range of motion, and reaction time, which are factors affecting the performance of the self-myofascial release exercise program for 12 weeks before and after applying it to professional Futsal players.

This study was conducted in two groups: a group that applied general training and self-myofascial release exercise (EX) and a control group that applied only general training (CON). The self-myofascial release program in this study was constructed by referring to the National Academy of Sports Medicine policy using a foam roller. The exercise program was applied 3 times a week for 30 minutes for 12 weeks after general training.

The functions of all variables in the exercise group improved, and the functions of all variables in the control group decreased. As a result of the EX test, dynamic stability was most significantly improved (t=-8.165, p=0.001), and the variable that showed a significant difference according to the interaction effect between groups was dynamic stability (F=10.238, p=0.006)., the joint range (F=4.900, p=0.042).

It can be seen that the effects on variables between groups differ sharply depending on whether or not self-myofascial release is performed.

Physical fitness refers to the ability of the body to perform tasks or do one of the physical activities well without being tired quickly. The objective of this research is to develop a physical fitness instrument for measuring oneself heart rate, grip strength, and reaction time that could develop a model for a self‑check‑up on physical fitness which helps to plan the improvement for health which is called the “FIBER‑FIT” model.

The physical fitness measuring instrument is composed of three modules; (1) heart rate meter module using a green light emitting diode and a photosensor, (2) grip strength meter module using a load cell transducer, and (3) reaction time meter module using a computer graphical function. All modules are controlled by computer programming, LabVIEW. The program could measure the physical fitness parameters in real‑time and display the results in graphs, values on a computer monitor. The data could be recorded on cloud storage and could be retrieved for viewing and analyzing from anywhere via the internet.

Getting the “FIBER‑FIT” model, a physical fitness measuring instrument to evaluate and analyze the results in real time. Overall performance test results were comparable to the standard commonly used instruments. The satisfaction survey scores from the participants were 33.33% and 66.67% for the highest level and the high level, respectively.

The Cloud “FIBER‑FIT” model is recommended for physical fitness applications for health improvement.

Anomia is a language disorder that negatively affects communication abilities in people with aphasia (PWA). We aimed to compare the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the left and right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and superior temporal gyrus (STG) on the picture-naming accuracy and reaction time in PWA. A randomized, single-blind, sham-controlled crossover trial was conducted in 2021 at Mobasher Kashani Clinic, Hamadan, Iran. Sixteen patients received both five days of real-tDCS (1 mA for 20 minutes) and five days of sham-tDCS with a seven-day washout period in between. Using the Persian aphasia naming test, picture-naming accuracy and reaction time on 50 images were assessed at baseline, real-tDCS, and sham-tDCS stages. The data were analyzed using STATA software, version 11.0. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Sixteen non-fluent PWA participated in the study. Of all patients, 64% benefited from tDCS over the STG and 18% over the IFG. The results showed that real-tDCS had a significant effect on the picture-naming accuracy (P=0.003) and the Persian-Western aphasia battery-one score (P=0.01), whereas sham-tDCS had no noticeable effects. Both the real- and sham-tDCS had no significant effect on the reaction time (P=0.28). Five sessions of individualized tDCS protocol (1 mA for 20 minutes) were adequate to improve picture-naming accuracy in patients with chronic aphasia.

Reaction time is an important indicator of good performance. Different types of exercises have been used by researchers to improve the reaction time of an individual. Other types of exercises still need more research to study their effect on simple reaction time, such as proprioceptive training. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of a proprioceptive training program using the Huber machine on the simple reaction time.

Twenty-one participants from the medical staff were assigned to two groups including the experimental group (1) composed of 5 male and 5 female participants and a control group (2) including 5 male and 6 female participants. A simple reaction time (SRT) test was assigned to all participants. Only the experimental group performed a proprioceptive exercise protocol on Huber motion’s platform, while the control group was tested at identical periods without exercising before the training (T0), immediately post-exercise (T1), and twenty minutes after exercising (T2). The procedure was repeated for six sessions over two weeks.

The participants of the group (1) show a decrease in the mean of RT (-43 min) immediately after proprioceptive training (T1), but they reveal a little increase (at T2) in SRT after an interval of 20 minutes (-23 min). They still prove a retention effect, while few participants in the control group show improvement at T1 or T2. Paired sample t-test was significant for the group (1) at T1 and T2 (P<0.05) while it was not significant for the control group.

Proprioceptive training may have a positive influence on reaction time with a retention effect. Clinicians can use proprioceptive training to improve the reaction time of their patients.

Physical activities have effects on the improvement of motor performance. Age-related changes revealed that different factors were effective on the reaction and response time. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of exercise and physical activities on thereaction and response times in older people.

The study method was casual-comparative and the study population consisted of older people of SanandajCity, Iran. 30 inactive persons were randomly selected and 30 active and available persons were also selected in this city, and their reaction and response times were measured. The reaction and response times were measured by the reaction timer made by Takei Company (model YB1000) and through the Nelson's Speed of Movement Test, respectively. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test (K-S test) and independent t-test were used for data analysis of the descriptive statistics (P < 0.05).

K-S test revealed that results had a normal distribution. According to the findings, exercise and physical activity had a positive effect on reaction and response times, so that the results of the independent t-test showed that the active group had significantly lower reaction time (P< 0.001) and response time (P < 0.001) than the inactive group.

Exercise and physical activities lead to the decrement in reaction and response times through the positive physiological and psychomotor changes.

Many academicians suggested the supplementary use of 3D‑printed models reconstructed from radiological images for optimal anatomy education. 3D‑printed model is newer technology available to us. The purpose of this systematic review was to capture the usefulness or effectiveness of this newer technology in anatomy education.

Twenty‑two studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria for quantitative synthesis. The included studies were sub‑grouped according to the interventions and participants. No restrictions were applied based on geographical location, language and publication years. Randomized, controlled trial, cross‑sectional and cross‑over designs were included. The effect size of each intervention in both participants was computed as a standardized mean difference (SMD).

Twenty‑two randomized, controlled trials were included for quantitative estimation of effect size of knowledge acquisition as standardized mean difference in 1435 participants. The pooled effect size for 3D‑printed model was 0.77 (0.45–1.09, 95% CI, P < 0.0001) with 86% heterogeneity. The accuracy score was measured in only three studies and estimated effect size was 2.81 (1.08–4.54, 95% CI, P = 0.001) with 92% heterogeneity. The satisfaction score was examined by questionnaire in 6 studies. The estimated effect size was 2.00 (0.69–3.32, 95% CI, P= 0.003) with significant heterogeneity.

The participants exposed to the 3D‑printed model performed better than participants who used traditional methodologies. Thus, the 3D‑printed model is a potential tool for anatomy education.

In line with Lakoff’s theory of embodied cognition, several studies in the field of emotional processing have demonstrated that positive and negative valence is represented based on spatial and bodily characteristics.

The present study aimed to investigate the implicit link between body parts and the emotional valence of Persian words.

The participants included 33 right-handed undergraduate students in the field of psychology who were selected via the convenience sampling method. A priming task with emotional negative and positive words (prime) was used, and the participants had to recognize the leftness or rightness of hand stimuli (target). Reaction times were recorded for target stimuli. The data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 24) using repeated-measures ANOVA.

The obtained results pointed to the implicit association of positive and negative words with bodily features (right hand and left hand).

The findings of the current study are finally discussed within theories of embodied cognition, as well as hemispheric and language processing, for emotional stimuli.

One of the main topics raised in sports psychology that affects athletes' performance, especially at championship levels, is pre-match anxiety and its effect on the psychological states and motor skills of athletes. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of guided mental imagery training on improving reaction time and reducing competitive state anxiety in karate athletes. This study's method was applied, and its method was semi-experimental with pre-test and post-test design with a control group. The statistical population of the study consisted of all karate athletes in Tehran in 2019. The convenience voluntary sampling method was selected and assigned to the guided mental imagery group (n=15) and control group (n=15) using a simple randomization method. In this study, data were obtained using a competitive anxiety questionnaire (1990) and a reaction time meter. Data were analyzed using repeated variance analysis and SPSS.22 software. The results showed that the effectiveness of guided mental imagery training affects improving reaction time (P<0.001) and reducing competitive state anxiety (P<0.001) in karate athletes. It can be concluded that guided mental imagery training effectively improves reaction time and reduces competitive state anxiety in karate athletes. This training can be used to improve karate athletes' psychological problems.