Psychomotor reactions in fencing dependence of stimuli type

Abstract

http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/1980-0037.2008v10n3p223 The purpose of the present study was to examine reaction time (RT), movement time (MT) and electromyography (EMG) signal under tactile, acoustic and visual stimulation. Two groups of subjects took part in the study: one consisting of advanced fencers (n = 12, average age 22.3) practicing fencing for an average of 8.3 years; and the other consisting of novice fencers (n = 15, average age 14.8) practicing fencing for an average of 2.8 years. The research tool applied in the study was an innovative system of surface electromyography with peripheral equipment that enabled participants’ reactions to tactile, audio and visual stimulation. The system made it possible to record RT and MT separately. The subjects were exposed to forty-five stimuli in a randomized manner in each type of stimulation. The tested fencers responded fastest to tactile stimuli, then to acoustic stimuli, and in a much slower way to visual stimuli (p < 0.01). The advanced fencers exhibited significantly lower values of RT, MT, and EMG signal in comparison with the novice fencers. Both groups exhibited a decrease in the EMG signal value during the tactile, acoustic and visual stimulation trials, supporting the hypothesis. A slight coincidence of EMG signal curves was also observed in the visual stimuli test. It can be concluded that visual perception lowers muscle tension in novice fencers (p < 0.050).