Reaction time
What Reaction time means in Physical Education A-Level, as defined for AQA.
Definitions of Reaction time
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Reference: AQA
The component of response time that ends when movement begins and can be shortened by improving selective attention, using mental rehearsal and developing anticipation through practice.
In general, it can include situations with more than one stimulus or response, and it ends when the response is initiated, not when the action is completed.
A measure reduced by faster transmission of nerve impulses, along with overall response time, leading to more efficient skill execution.
A measure that is reduced, along with overall response time, when spatial anticipation is successful.
A measure that is reduced when selective attention is efficient, speeding up information processing.
The delay before any muscle activity begins following the presentation of a stimulus.
Topics that use Reaction time
- Efficiency of information processing to include: (AQA A-Level)
Related terms
- Accuracy, timing and consistency of response
- Anticipation
- Anticipation and cue detection
- Arousal, attention and performance
- Chaining
- Choice reaction time
- Cue detection
- Decision making
Using Reaction time in the exam
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