Identifying the Level of Symmetrization of Reaction Time According to Manual Lateralization between Team Sports Athletes, Individual Sports Athletes, and Non-Athletes

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the impact of practicing sports activities on manual skills, focused on reaction time depending on manual laterality. The objectives of the study were to identify the differences in improving simple, optional, and cognitive reaction times in the manual executions of student athletes who practice team sports involving the manual handling of the ball (volleyball, basketball, handball) in comparison with student athletes who practice individual sports and with non-athletic students; to identify the differences regarding the reaction time of the right- and left-handed executions depending on the manual lateralization of the subjects (right- and left-handedness) between the three experimental samples: team sports group (TSG), individual sports group (ISG), and the group of non-athletes (NAG) through the use of computer tests. The study included 335 subjects who were divided into three groups: TSG with 102 subjects, ISG with 112 subjects, and NAG with 121 subjects. The subjects of the study were given five computer tests to evaluate three types of reaction time: simple reaction time (Start/Stop Test), choice reaction time (Check Boxes Test, Hit-the-dot Test), and time of cognitive reaction (Trail making Test part A and B). The results were analyzed regarding right- and left-handedness, as well as the execution hand (right hand or left hand) in solving the tests. The results of the study highlighted significant statistical differences between the three groups: TSG, ISG, and NAG. The best results were recorded by TSG in all tests, and the lowest by NAG. Statistically significant differences were also recorded between the executions with the dominant hand compared to the executions with the non-dominant hand in relation to right- and left-handedness. The study highlighted that the smallest differences in all the study groups were recorded in the simple reaction time test, where the differences between the right-handed and left-handed executions were the lowest, reflecting the best level of symmetrization of the motor executions.

Decision-Making Time Analysis for Assessing Processing Speed in Athletes during Motor Reaction Tasks

“…Our findings reveal that the time elapsed between the onset of a stimulus and the initiation of the response is independent of the hand to be moved, according to the results of multiple comparisons with ANOVA. Given that all participants were right-handed, higher performance in the RT of the dominant hand would have been expected, in line with some previous findings [ 7 , 8 , 17 ]. However, other studies have suggested that this advantage is not generalizable, as it depends on other factors such as target position compatibility [ 35 , 36 ] or free hand choice [ 37 ].…”

“…Shorter RT was associated with improved performance indicators in both physical capacity and sports skills [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ]. RT is a key factor in sports performance, influenced by the ability to analyze and decide, as well as the speed of motor responses [ 17 ]. It has been stated that RT can be improved through the implementation of specific training programs [ 14 ].…”

“…It has been stated that RT can be improved through the implementation of specific training programs [ 14 ]. In this line, athletes demonstrate higher performance in RT compared to control groups in tasks involving simple reaction [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Furthermore, RT has been used for revealing differences between athletes in closed- and open-skill sports.…”

Improving Agility and Reactive Agility in Basketball Players U14 and U16 by Implementing Fitlight Technology in the Sports Training Process

“…This evolution in training methodologies has the potential to significantly impact the development of young athletes, preparing them more effectively for the demands of competitive sports [53][54][55][56][57]. In accordance with the trends of modernization and technology of sports training, we consider that in order to identify the theoretical and practical methodological aspects, an interdisciplinary approach is necessary in order to improve sports performances [58][59][60][61][62].…”

Identifying the Differences in Symmetry of the Anthropometric Parameters of the Upper Limbs in Relation to Manual Laterality between Athletes Who Practice Sports with and without a Ball

“…Recent research focuses on the identification of symmetry and proportional relationships between different anthropometric body parameters [1][2][3]. A series of studies have highlighted numerous minor asymmetries between different human anthropometric parameters, comparing the morphological development of the right and left side of the body [4,5]. Sports performance is influenced by the individual characteristics of physical development and by the level of the motor and technical ability of athletes in relation to the specifics of the sport practiced [6,7].…”