Publication Date
Fall 2011
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Kinesiology
Advisor
Emily H. Wughalter
Keywords
Henry and Rogers, Memory drum theory, Mouth guard, Movement complexity, Simple reaction time, Whole body movement
Subject Areas
Kinesiology; Biomechanics; Physical education
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to determine how use of a mouth guard and movement complexity affect simple reaction time. The experiment consisted of three prescribed whole body movements of varying complexity. Participants were 12 college aged males who were free from injury and had some experience playing sports. Reaction time was determined using ground reaction force data and video data. A two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures on both factors revealed no significant mouth guard effect. A significant movement complexity effect resulted in longer reaction times for a high complexity movement than for low and moderate complexity movements. A significant interaction effect resulted in shorter reaction times on the low and moderate complexity movements when wearing a self-adapted mouth guard than when not wearing a mouth guard. Further research will be required to replicate the results of the current study and to apply them to practice.
Recommended Citation
Hide, Taijiro, "Effects of wearing a mouth guard and movement complexity on simple reaction time" (2011). Master's Theses. 4095.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31979/etd.z6kq-wjzc
https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/etd_theses/4095
