Reaction time, response time and Hick's law

Overview

Reaction, movement and response time with worked sprinter and goalkeeper examples, simple and choice reaction time, Hick's law and how performers use it, and the factors that affect and improve response time.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   What is reaction time?

   Model answer

   Reaction time is the time from the onset of a stimulus to the start of a response. The performer has not yet moved during reaction time.

2. 2

   What is movement time?

   Model answer

   Movement time is the time from the start of a movement to its completion.

3. 3

   What is response time?

   Model answer

   Response time is reaction time plus movement time. Response time covers the whole period from stimulus to completed action.

4. 4

   A sprinter reacts in 0.15 s and takes 9.85 s to run 100 m. What is the response time?

   Model answer

   The response time is 10.00 s. The working is 0.15 s + 9.85 s = 10.00 s.

5. 5

   A goalkeeper's response time is 0.60 s and reaction time is 0.20 s. What is the movement time?

   Model answer

   The movement time is 0.40 s. The working is 0.60 s − 0.20 s = 0.40 s.

6. 6

   What is simple reaction time?

   Model answer

   Simple reaction time is reacting to one stimulus with one response. A sprint start is an example.

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