The Effect of Sound-Reaction Time on Performance-Related Physical Factors in Sprinters

The purpose of this study was to analyze the differences in physical fitness, anaerobic power, and isokinetic muscle function according to sound-reaction time in male sprinters. Fifty male sprinters participated in this experiment were classified into three groups as follows: the top 20% (T20, n=10), middle 60% (M60, n=10), and bottom 20% (B20, n=10) sound-reaction time groups. Anthropometric measurement, body composition, muscular endurance, quickness, flexibility, anaerobic power, isokinetic muscle function were measured, and all data were analyzed for one-way ANOVA. As a result of this study, The T20 group showed significantly higher scores in the standing long jump (p=.001) and vertical jump (p=.035) compared to the other groups. Anaerobic peak power was significantly higher in the T20 group than the B20 group (p=.027). In the isokinetic knee muscular functions (180°/sec), the knee left extensor (p=.003), knee right flexor (p=.011) were significantly higher in the T20 group compared to B20 group. In conclusion, our findings suggested scientific evidences that the sound-reaction time could affect the standing long jump, vertical jump, anaerobic peak power, and isokinetic muscle function in sprinters as well as it might be used as a predictor of sprinter performance on track and field.