The effect of visual stimuli training on choice reaction time in male taekwondo players

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of visual stimuli training on choice reaction time in male taekwondo players. This study was a quasi-experimental research with a pretest/protest design and a control group. The participants were 10 to 16 year-old male taekwondo players who practiced in three different gyms in Isfahan (first half of 1392) and had a red belt. From among these players, a number of 30 players (mean age of 16.2 ± 2.13) were selected through convenience sampling and were randomly divided into experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) groups. The experimental group participated in 8 weeks of visual stimuli training (3 sessions per week, each session 45 minutes); however, the control group did their common taekwondo training during the practice. In order to measure choice reaction time, the psychological refractory period apparatus and reaction time model 9010 were used for both the pre- and post-tests. Analysis of covariance was used to analyze the collected data (α=0.05). The results showed that 8 weeks of visual stimuli training had a significant effect on reducing choice reaction time on right and left foot in Ap Dollyo Chagi, Dollyo Chagi, Bahndall Chagi kicks (p=0.001). Therefore, it can be concluded that visual stimuli training can be an effective training method to help improve choice reaction time in taekwondo players.