Abstract

The purpose of the present investigation was to determine whether a six-month physical activity program could prevent an increase in reaction time and movement time on older adults. Male and female volunteers (64-68 years) were divided into two groups; one group participated in a six month exercise program that stressed endurance training, and the other group served as the non-exercise control. All subjects were pre-tested prior to the six-month period on simple and choice reaction time (SRT, CRT), SRT with a simple movement time (SMT) task, and SRT with a choice movement time (CMT) task. Six months later post-tests were administered . For SRT, there was a significant group by pre/post-test interaction. Mean SRT for the control group increased significantly from pre- to post-test, with the exercise group measuring significantly faster than the control group on the post-test. It appears that the six-month physical activity program, prevented the slowing of the subjects SRT. Interaction trends in the predicted direction (p<0.10) were found for SRT with the CMT task. In addition, results indicated that SRT was faster when performed alone than when it was performed with the SMT task. Based on these findings, RT should not be measured in conjunction with a MT task. This conclusion is based on a task-related trade-off that exists between RT and MT when they are measured together. Verf.-Referat