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Practical Manual

Practical 10

Component Measured: Reaction Time
“The reaction time is the ability to react effectively and quickly on a given signal”.

Name of the Test: Nelson Hand Reaction Time test.

Aim Note

The objective of this test is to measure the reaction time of hand movement in
response to a visual stimulus.

Required Equipment: Nelson reaction timer scale, table and chair or desk chair
is required for conducting this test.

Testing Procedure:First give a practical demonstration to all the participants.
The participant is to sit on the chair with his/her fore-arm and hand resting on the
table (or desk top) in such a way that the tips of thumb and index figure are held in
a ready to pinch position, about 3 or 4 inches beyond the edge of the table. The
tester assures that the upper edge of thumb and index finger are in a horizontal
position (see figure). The tester holds the scale vertically in the air between the
participant’s thumb and index finger, but not touching. Align the zero mark with
the participant’s fingers. The participant should indicate when they are ready. Without
warning, release the scale and let it drop - the participant must catch it as quickly as
possible as soon as he/she see it fall. The distance the scale fell will be recorded in
meters. This procedure is repeated 20 times and take to average score.

Figure 10: Nelson Hand Reaction Time test
Scoring Procedure: Time is read from the stick just above the upper edge of the
thumb when the participant catches the falling stick timer. Out of 20 trials, results
of five fastest and five slowest trials, are discarded and the average of the middle 10
trials gives the score of this test.

Physical Education and Yog
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