(09) LEARNING EFFECTS AND TEST-RETEST RELIABILITY OF A COMMON VISUOMOTOR REACTION TIME ASSESSMENT IN COLLEGIATE ATHLETES

Visuomotor reaction time (VMRT) is the time required to recognize and respond to a visual stimulus. PURPOSE: The purpose was to identify potential learning effects and assess test-retest reliability of a visuomotor reaction timing device. METHODS: Fifteen collegiate athletes (60% female) completed two visits over a one-week period within the same three-hour window. During each visit, athletes completed 15 trials of the D2 (Dynavision LLC, Cincinnati, OH, USA) A-mode task. During each 60-second trial, one of 64 target buttons illuminated randomly on the board, and athletes were instructed to press it as quickly as possible which would illuminate another target. Score was recorded as the number of lights pressed during each trial; thus, higher scores indicate lower VMRT. Each visit was separated into five rounds of three trials with rest periods of one minute between trials and five minutes between rounds. Athletes had no previous D2 experience and did not have vision problems. If corrective lenses were needed, the same lenses were worn for each visit. Athletes maintained habitual sleep, diet, supplement intake (i.e., caffeine), and exercise schedule 24 hours prior to each visit. Methods were approved by IRB, and athletes provided informed consent. Mean scores for each round were calculated. To identify learning effects, changes across rounds were analyzed using mixed-effects models. Post-hoc Helmert contrasts were used to determine differences between each round and all subsequent rounds (α=0.05). Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), and minimum difference (MD) were calculated to determine test-retest reliability between selected rounds. RESULTS: Significant differences in mean scores across rounds were found (P< 0.001; Figure 1). Helmert contrasts revealed rounds 1, 2, and 3 were significantly lower than subsequent rounds (P< 0.001) but rounds 4 and 5 were not (P >0.07). Round 6 was also lower than subsequent rounds (P=0.008) but rounds 7, 8, and 9 were not (P >0.23). Excellent test-retest reliability was found between mean scores of rounds 4 and 5 (ICC=0.945, SEM=1.32, MD=1.83) and rounds 7 and 8 (ICC=0.948, SEM=1.42, MD=1.97). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest three rounds of three trials are required to establish relative stability in this visuomotor reaction timing device and a warm-up round may be warranted during follow-up visits. Once learning effects have diminished, there is excellent test-retest reliability between mean scores of two consecutive rounds. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Researchers and practitioners who use a visuomotor reaction timing device in athletes should implement a familiarization protocol consisting of at least nine trials to reduce changes in VMRT due to a learning effect in those who have not previously used this device. It may also be important to incorporate a warm-up procedure of three trials during subsequent testing visits.

 

Acknowledgements: None.