EVALUATION OF VISUAL REACTION TIME IN SPRINTERS WITH HEARING IMPAIRMENT: A PILOT STUDY

Abstract

Javier Soto-Rey, Javier Pérez-Tejero, Jesús Javier Rojo-González, Juan Carlos Álvarez-Ortiz

This article aims to evaluate possible differences in visual reaction time (VRT) from the starting blocks in sprinters with hearing impairment, using a visual stimulus coordinated with auditory beep output. The sample consisted of four sprinters with hearing impairment of national level. This device, in order to reproduce the actual conditions of competition these athletes, was placed in two different places for each sprinter, determining two experimental situations: one with the device on the ground and another at 5 m from the start line, and VRT registered had an average of 0.232 ± 0.018 s in the first position and 0.268 ± 0.038 s for the second. VRT was less and more homogeneous when the device was placed on the ground respect to the situation with the device placed at 5 m from the starting blocks (ns). It seems necessary to investigate the development of new adaptation systems that will allow the start adaptation for sprinters with hearing impairment since VRT appears to be affected by the position of the visual stimulus.