Reaction time measures how quickly an athlete responds to a stimulus. It is calculated as the average time taken across multiple trials, helping assess cognitive processing speed and decision-making efficiency.
Formula for Reaction Time
Reaction Time (ms) = Total Reaction Time / Number of Trials
Example Calculation
If an athlete records the following reaction times:
500ms, 900ms, 300ms, 500ms, 1200ms, 300ms, 500ms, 345ms, 233ms, 984ms
1. Sum of all reaction times:
500 + 900 + 300 + 500 + 1200 + 300 + 500 + 345 + 233 + 984 = 5762ms
2. Divide by the number of trials (10):
5762 / 10 = 576.2ms
Thus, the average reaction time = 576.2ms.
Interpreting Reaction Time Data
High variability in reaction time can indicate inconsistent decision-making.
A faster reaction time suggests quick processing but should be balanced with accuracy.
Outliers (very fast or slow responses) can distort averages—this is why Speed and CV (Coefficient of Variation) are also important for deeper analysis.
By monitoring reaction time alongside other cognitive metrics, coaches can get a clearer picture of an athlete’s decision speed, consistency, and efficiency under pressure.