Int J Sports Med 2006; 27(10): 792-797
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-872959
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Sports Exercise Effect on Shortening of Saccadic Reaction Time Associated with Neck Extensor Muscle Activity

K. Fujiwara1 , K. Kunita2 , H. Watanabe2
  • 1Department of Human Movement and Health, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
  • 2Institute for Health and Sport Sciences, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted after revision: September 20, 2005

Publication Date:
02 February 2006 (online)

Abstract

We investigated sports exercise effect on shortening of saccadic reaction time associated with neck extensor muscle activity. Saccadic reaction time was measured in neck rest position, 20° neck flexion, and 30 % muscle contraction of the shoulder girdle elevators for two groups. These groups were an untrained group that has never belonged to any sports club (UT group) and a group that has belonged to high-speed ball sports clubs (HS group). In the neck flexion and 30 % muscle contraction conditions, there was a significant shortening of the reaction time for the HS group. For the UT group, no significant shortening was found in those conditions, and the reaction time in the 30 % contraction was rather significantly longer than that in the rest position. Sports experience pursuing a high-speed ball will be effective in the shortening of the saccadic reaction time associated with the activity of neck extensors.

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Prof. K. Fujiwara

Department of Human Movement and Health
Graduate School of Medical Science
Kanazawa University

13 - 1 Takara-machi

Kanazawa

Ishikawa 920 - 8640

Japan

Phone: + 81762652225

Fax: + 81 7 62 34 42 19

Email: fujikatu@med.m.kanazawa-u.ac.jp