Is the Reduction of Reaction Time an Adequate Estimate of the Effect of Practice?

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the reduction of reaction time is an adequate estimate of the effect of practice. Since the biceps brachii muscle performs in two different movement patterns, elbow flexion and forearm supination, EMG-RTs of these movement patterns were examined after forehand-stroke practice by the preferred hand. Moreover, for the purpose of analysis of the return of practice effect, the EMG-RTs of the same subjects were measured 3 or 4 mo. after the initial sessions. No significant differences in EMG-RTs of elbow flexion and forearm supination of both hands were recognized before and after practice. The EMG-RT differences for the nonpracticed hand were nonsignificant, but those for the practiced hand were significant. These results suggest that the reduction in reaction time alone is an inadequate parameter for estimating the effect of practice. Further, it is of critical importance to find a potentially more reliable and valuable parameter such as the EMG-RT difference between the two different movement patterns.