Reaction time (RT) is a measure of the quickness with which an organism responds to some sort of stimulus. RT is defined as the interval of time between the presentation of the stimulus and appearance of appropriate voluntary response in the subject.
According to luce and welford, there are 3 types of Reaction time
- Simple RT– One stimulus one response.
Eg. Ruler Drop Test: In this test, a person holds their hand with fingers extended, and a ruler is dropped without warning. The participant tries to catch the ruler as quickly as possible. The distance the ruler falls before being caught is related to the person’s reaction time.
- Recognition RT– One or two stimulus but one response is given.
Eg. Imagine a game where you need to press a button when you hear a specific sound, but not respond when you hear other sounds. This would be a recognition reaction time scenario.
- Choice RT– Multiple stimulus and multiple responses.
Eg. Driving: Deciding whether to brake or swerve to avoid an obstacle, sports- swimming cricket etc….
Human reactions operate through the nervous system, which detects a stimulus. Neurons transmit this signal to the brain, which then sends it down the spinal cord to the person’s hands and fingers. Motor neurons instruct the hands and fingers on how to respond.
For adults, the average visual reaction time is about 190 milliseconds, while auditory reaction time is around 160 milliseconds. Reaction time generally decreases during childhood, reaches its peak in early adulthood, and gradually increases again with age. The rate of this increase is slower during middle age but tends to accelerate in later years.
Reaction time in specific situations can have a significant impact on our daily lives. A quick response can lead to advantages, such as in sports, while a delayed reaction may result in serious consequences, particularly in activities like driving. Several factors can influence human reaction time, including age, gender, hand dominance, central or peripheral vision, training, fatigue, hunger, breathing rhythm, personality traits, physical activity, and intelligence.
Yoga can enhance reaction time by improving the connection between body and mind and strengthening the nervous system by increasing brains ability to process the information efficiently. Yoga practices improve cognition, neuromuscular communication and reduce stress.
Recent evidences suggest,
Sr no | Research | Intervention |
1 | 60 minutes Six week yoga program for pre and peri menopausal diabetic patient’s women’s showed significant faster RT.
| Surya namaskara- 10 minutes Tadasana- 30 sec Parivritta trikonasana- 1 minute Padahastasana- 30 seconds Ardha kati chakarasana- 1 minute Vakrasana – 1minute Paschimmottanasana- 30 seconds Pawanamuktasana- 2 minutes Ardha halasana- 30 seconds Bhujangasana- 30 seconds Dhanurasana- 30 seconds Vipareetakarani- 1 minute Chandranadi Pranayama- 2minute Pranava Pranayama – 4 minutes Nadishodhana- 2 minutes Savitri Pranayama – 3minutes Kaya kriya- 10 minutes Shavasana- 10 minutes
Rest periods inbetween practices is 10 minutes.
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2 | 30 minutes of Yoga practice for 12 weeks results in significant reduction in visual and auditory RTs and significant increase in respiratory pressures, breath holding times and Hand grip Strength in 27 medical students. | Mukha bhastrika- 30 seconds Bandh trayarn- 30 seconds Nauli- 30 seconds Talasan- 30 seconds Trikonasan- 1 minute Ardh matsyendrasan- 1minute Supt vajrasan- 1minute Ushtrasan- 1minute Paschimottanasan- 1minute Shirshuttanasan- 1minute Pavanmuktasan- 1minute Sarvangasan- 1minute Halasan- 1minute Matsyasan- 1minute Navasan (supine)- 1minute Navakasan (prone)- 1minute Bakasan- 1minute Shavasana- 15 minutes
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3 | Practicing 3 days in a week for 6 months of Bharmhari Pranayama- 5–10 minutes resulted in Shortening of RT in 520 healthy individual. | Bharmhari Pranayama- 5–10 minutes |
4 | Practicing 10 minutes Deep relaxation technique significant decline in the ART and VRT observed in the Post DRT condition in 115 healthy yoga students from SVYASA Yoga university, between the age group of 20 to 50 years | 10 minutes Deep relaxation technique |
Conclusion: In conclusion, while the specific mechanisms by which yoga affects reaction time are still being explored, the evidence suggests that yoga practices can positively impact cognitive function and potentially improve reaction times, particularly in the areas of alertness and focus.
Reference
- Duke-Elder S. Franciscus Cornelis Donders. Br J Ophthalmol. 1959;43:65–8. doi: 10.1136/bjo.43.2.65. [DOI]
- Luce RD. London: Academic Press; 1968. [Last accessed on 2011 Aug 08]. Information Theory of Choice. Reaction Times. Available from: http://www.biology.clemson.edu/bpc/bp/Lab/110/reaction.html.
- Welford AT. Choice reaction time: Basic concepts. In: Welford AT, editor. Reaction Times. New York: Academic Press; 1980. pp. 73–128.
- Karia RM, Ghuntla TP, Mehta HB, Gokhale PA, Shah CJ. Effect of gender difference on visual reaction time: A study on medical students of Bhavnagar region. IOSR-PHR. 2012;2:452.
- Madanmohan AB, Dayanidy G, Sanjay Z, Basavaraddi IV. Effect of yoga therapy on reaction time, biochemical parameters and wellness score of peri and post-menopausal diabetic patients. Int J Yoga. 2012 Jan;5(1):10-5.
- Naik L. Effect of yogic relaxation technique on auditory and visual reaction times. International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences. 2021 May;9(5):1473-8.
- Kuppusamy M, Kamaldeen D, Pitani R, Amaldas J, Ramasamy P, Shanmugam P, Thirupathy VS. Effect of Bhramari pranayama practice on simple reaction time in healthy adolescents–a randomized control trial. International journal of adolescent medicine and health. 2021 Dec 7;33(6):547-50.
- Nambinarayanan T, Thakur SA, Krishnamurthy N, Chandrabose A. Effect of yoga training on reaction time, respiratory endurance and muscle strength. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 1992;36(4):229-33.