Did you ever play “slap hands” as a kid? In this game, your companion tries to hit the back of your hands before you pull them away. That’s simply a reaction time test with your hands. This strange little experiment is about more than just bragging rights on the playground. Reaction time testing checks how quickly you can react to anything. It may be something you see (like a red light turning green), something you hear (like a buzzer), or, if we’re being creative, catching a piece of toast before it hits the floor.
It’s not all fun and games. Athletes take reaction time tests to get an edge over their opponents. Soccer players know where the ball is going. Race car drivers can read turn signals at lightning speed. Even gamers train their twitch reactions while sitting in their chairs to get a faster response time. But faster isn’t always better. If you’re too jumpy, you might flinch before it matters!
Most online assessments of response speed require you to look at a screen with your finger hovering over a mouse. The color of a form changes. You click as fast as you can. What’s the catch? It can feel like a hundred years of waiting. Looking. Waiting. Blinking. Then, bang! The screen changes, and you hurry to click, hoping you didn’t merely react to a fly zipping past instead.
For people, average reaction times are about 250 milliseconds. But don’t worry if you’re a little slower. Not having enough caffeine, feeling tired, or even eating a big burrito for lunch can all get in the way. Batters eat light before a big game for a reason.
Do you think you can learn to react more quickly? You can, in fact. Simple practice makes the synaptic highways in your brain sharper. Repetition makes connections faster, just like lubricating a well-used track. Want to compete in a pleasant way? Give your friends and family a challenge. Look at the scores. Come up with consequences for people with slow responses. The person who loses has to do the dishes. Winner enjoys a brief moment of glory while flexing their fingers.
But why bother? You might not think about it, but reaction time is important in a lot of situations. For one thing, driving. It’s not funny to see a child run across the street. Having quick reflexes could save a life. Some organizations even utilize response time exams for some jobs. Pilots, emergency workers, and others who operate on assembly lines. Even doctors want those neurons to fire as quickly as possible.
People will brag about how swift their reflexes are from time to time. It could be a myth. Maybe they just practiced more. Meditation might lower your heart rate but make you more focused. Sleep, exercise, and eating well all help your brain work better. Don’t take energy drinks, though. They might be good and bad at the same time.
If you’re bored, try looking up a test for response time. Show that you’re faster than your coworker who drinks too much coffee or your tiny relative who eats too much sugar. Don’t take anything too seriously; it’s just a game. And what if you’re slower? Well, you’re just enjoying the moment longer. Who said that lightning always wins?