Taekwondo practitioners exhibit faster simple reaction times compared to physically inactive individuals

Giulia T. Rodrigues; José A. Barela; Bruno Furlanetto; Rafael J. G. Silva; Marcelo A. A. Sanches; Diego Orcioli-Silva

doi:10.20338/bjmb.v19i1.478

Taekwondo practitioners exhibit faster simple reaction times compared to physically inactive individuals

Authors

Giulia T. Rodrigues São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Biosciences, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5044-3540
José A. Barela São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Biosciences, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0951-254X
Bruno Furlanetto São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Biosciences, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1488-2339
Rafael J. G. Silva São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Engineering, Ilha Solteira, SP, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7344-5321
Marcelo A. A. Sanches São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Engineering, Ilha Solteira, SP, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2067-4382
Diego Orcioli-Silva São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Biosciences, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil - diego_orcioli@hotmail.com https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2278-8092

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20338/bjmb.v19i1.478

Keywords:

Martial arts, Simple reaction time, Choice reaction time, Sensory systems

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In martial arts like Taekwondo, reaction time (RT) is essential for both offensive and defensive actions. Despite its importance, most studies on RT in martial arts have focused primarily on visual and auditory stimuli, leaving a gap in the literature regarding the somatosensory pathway, which is also relevant in certain sports.

AIM: This study aimed to compare RT across different sensory pathways (visual, auditory, and somatosensory) between Taekwondo practitioners and physically inactive individuals.

METHODS: Nineteen Taekwondo practitioners (8 women; 21.6±4.8 years old) and twenty physically inactive individuals (11 women; 22.2±2.8 years old) underwent RT tests using equipment that emitted an auditory, visual, and somatosensory stimuli. Simple Reaction Time (SRT) and Choice Reaction Time (CRT) tests involved 20 stimuli per sensory stimulus. Two-way ANOVAs, with group and sensory stimulus as factors, were used to compare RT.

RESULTS: ANOVA revealed a main effect of group (p=0.043), with Taekwondo practitioners showing shorter SRT than inactive individuals. ANOVA also revealed a main effect of sensory stimulus for the STR (p< 0.001). The auditory stimulus demonstrated a shorter RT compared to visual (p= 0.018) and somatosensory stimuli (p< 0.001). No significant results were found for CRT.

INTERPRETATION: Taekwondo practitioners exhibited superior SRT across all sensory pathways compared to physically inactive individuals. Additionally, the auditory pathway produced the fastest responses compared to visual and somatosensory pathways.

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Published

2025-09-13

How to Cite

Rodrigues, G. T., Barela, J. A., Furlanetto, B., Silva, R. J. G., Sanches, M. A. A., & Orcioli-Silva, D. (2025). Taekwondo practitioners exhibit faster simple reaction times compared to physically inactive individuals. Brazilian Journal of Motor Behavior, 19(1), e478. https://doi.org/10.20338/bjmb.v19i1.478

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Issue

Vol. 19 No. 1 (2025)

Section

Research Articles

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