Athletes have faster eye-hand visual reaction times and higher scores on visuospatial intelligence than nonathletes

Authors: SEDİ AKARSU, ERKAN ÇALIŞKAN, ŞENOL DANE

Abstract: Aim: To compare sports-related visual abilities such as hand-eye reaction time and visuospatial intelligence of athletes to nonathletes. Materials and methods: Differences in sports-related visual abilities such as hand-eye reaction time and visuospatial intelligence between athletes and nonathletes were studied in 157 male (M age = 13.9 years, SD = 1.8) and 126 female (M age = 13.9 years, SD = 1.7) high school students. Visuospatial intelligence was assessed with Cattel's Culture Fair Intelligence Test. A software package of random stimulus presentation and response recording was used for eye-hand reaction time. Results: Athletes had lower eye-hand visual reaction time (the faster) (P < .001) and higher visuospatial intelligence (P < 0.01) compared to nonathletes. There were no sex differences. There was a negative correlation between the number of years of doing sports and eye-hand visual reaction time (r = 0.3, P < 0.001) and a positive correlation with visuospatial intelligence (r = 0.3, P < 0.001). Conclusion: These results support the view that sport activities are beneficial to both eye-hand reaction time and visuospatial intelligence. In light of the results of the present study, we can recommend more sport activities for higher academic success in primary, middle, and high school students.

Keywords: Reaction time, visuospatial intelligence, athletes

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