The Differentiation of Visual Sensorimotor Processes in the Representatives of Various Sport Disciplines

Abstract

Sport activities usually require a high efficiency of visual information processing. Therefore, it seems justified to determine the efficiency of visual sensorimotor processes in sports requiring a variety of perception competencies. The aim of this study was to assess the differentiation of sensorimotor processes in terms of simple and choice reaction time, and visual stimulus discrimination in various athletes and untrained persons. The study involved 119 men, of which 95 were athletes: football players (n = 24), volleyball players (n = 22), boxers (n = 26), and rowers (n = 23). The efficiency of sensorimotor processes was evaluated with the Vienna Test System (Schuhfried, Austria). The evaluations included simple reaction time (SRT), choice reaction time (CRT), and visual stimulus discrimination. Analysis of the results showed that volleyball and football players had shorter (p < 0.01) reaction times compared to non-athletes and representatives of the other sports. We found significant differences (p < 0.01) between athletes and non-athletes in visual stimulus discrimination. In addition, boxers showed fewer correct reactions than volleyball players, and shorter times of stimulus detection than in volleyball and soccer players.