The Effect of Computerized Reaction Time Training on Collegiate Baseball Athletes
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Presenter(s)
Alec Morris
Abstract
PURPOSE: Reaction time is crucial for batting, fielding, and base running in collegiate baseball. Although emerging training technologies offer interactive methods to enhance reaction speed, their effectiveness in this context is underexplored. This study evaluates the impact of computerized, randomized reaction time training on college-aged baseball athletes.
METHODS: Thirty-nine athletes ages 18–24 from a local collegiate baseball team participated in a six-week training study. Participants were assigned to either a control group n=16, which continued regular training, or a treatment group n=23 that performed specialized reaction time drills. The treatment involved six light-up buttons fixed to a wall. During each 30-second round athletes were instructed to respond by hitting the blue button as quickly as possible among distractor colors. Each session consisted of 3 rounds of 30 sec with 10 second rest. Reaction times and total hit counts were recorded and averaged per session. Training sessions occurred twice weekly. Data was analyzed using SPSS mixed design ANOVA to determine changes in reaction time and hit count after training. Differences in reaction time of the training group were compared to the control with a statistical significance value of p < 0.05 for all analyses.
RESULTS: The treatment group demonstrated significantly faster reaction times Mean=638.39 ms, SD = 62.18 compared to the control group Mean = 771.73 ms, SD = 101.98 on the post-test. Total hit counts were also higher for the treatment group Mean = 37.88, SD = 2.78 versus the control Mean = 31.96, SD = 3.81, with large effect sizes Cohen’s d = 1.58 and 1.78.
CONCLUSIONS: Computerized reaction time training appears to be an effective strategy for enhancing reaction time in collegiate baseball players. The significantly greater improvements observed in the treatment group support the integration of technology-based drills into training programs and highlight a promising future implementing technology-based training into everyday practice.
College
College of Nursing & Health Sciences
Department
Health, Exercise & Rehabilitative Sciences
Campus
Winona
First Advisor/Mentor
Becky Heinert, PT, MS, SCS, CPSS
Second Advisor/Mentor
Justin Geijer
Start Date
4-24-2025 12:00 AM
End Date
4-24-2025 12:00 AM
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Format of Presentation or Performance
Pre-Recorded Video
Metadata Creation Responsibility
Alec Morris
The Effect of Computerized Reaction Time Training on Collegiate Baseball Athletes
PURPOSE: Reaction time is crucial for batting, fielding, and base running in collegiate baseball. Although emerging training technologies offer interactive methods to enhance reaction speed, their effectiveness in this context is underexplored. This study evaluates the impact of computerized, randomized reaction time training on college-aged baseball athletes.
METHODS: Thirty-nine athletes ages 18–24 from a local collegiate baseball team participated in a six-week training study. Participants were assigned to either a control group n=16, which continued regular training, or a treatment group n=23 that performed specialized reaction time drills. The treatment involved six light-up buttons fixed to a wall. During each 30-second round athletes were instructed to respond by hitting the blue button as quickly as possible among distractor colors. Each session consisted of 3 rounds of 30 sec with 10 second rest. Reaction times and total hit counts were recorded and averaged per session. Training sessions occurred twice weekly. Data was analyzed using SPSS mixed design ANOVA to determine changes in reaction time and hit count after training. Differences in reaction time of the training group were compared to the control with a statistical significance value of p < 0.05 for all analyses.
RESULTS: The treatment group demonstrated significantly faster reaction times Mean=638.39 ms, SD = 62.18 compared to the control group Mean = 771.73 ms, SD = 101.98 on the post-test. Total hit counts were also higher for the treatment group Mean = 37.88, SD = 2.78 versus the control Mean = 31.96, SD = 3.81, with large effect sizes Cohen’s d = 1.58 and 1.78.
CONCLUSIONS: Computerized reaction time training appears to be an effective strategy for enhancing reaction time in collegiate baseball players. The significantly greater improvements observed in the treatment group support the integration of technology-based drills into training programs and highlight a promising future implementing technology-based training into everyday practice.
