A distributional analysis of the effect of physical exercise on a choice reaction time task

Authors: Davranche, Karen¹; Audiffren, Michel¹; Denjean, André²

Source: Journal of Sports Sciences, Volume 24, Number 3, Number 3/March 2006 , pp. 323-329(7)

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $50.43 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

The aim of this study was to examine the facilitating effects of physical exercise on the reaction process. Eleven participants with specific expertise in decision-making sports performed a choice reaction time task during moderate sub-maximal exercise (90% of their ventilatory threshold power). Participants were tested at rest and while cycling. During exercise, the participants were faster, without being more variable. We suggest that the effect of exercise on cognitive performance was due to a major generalized improvement of the whole distribution of response time and, although the benefit effect was small, it was consistent throughout the entire range of reaction times.

Keywords: Reaction time distributions; time on task; information processing; sub-maximal exercise; energetic factor; facilitating effect

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02640410500132165

Affiliations: 1: Maison des Sciences de l'Homme et de la Société, Université de Poitiers, Laboratoire Performance Motricité et Cognition, Poitiers 2: Service d'Explorations Fonctionnelles Respiratoires, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Poitiers, Poitiers, France

Publication date: 2006-03-01

More about this publication?