Each timer reacts to the Start signal, and then reacts to the competitor in their allotted lane. In timing for Athletics, reaction timing is required (England Athletics Timekeeping guide). When the time reaches a round minute stop it as quickly as possible.

Start a stopwatch and obscure the seconds and hundredths with tape.With some practice you may be able to stop it within a few hundredths of the round number. Try to stop it exactly on a round number. Reacting means that the timer watches the line and reacts when the competitor is seen to cross it.Īnticipation and reaction can be measured as follows: There are two possible methods of taking the time:Īnticipating means that the timer watches the competitor approach the line, and attempts to press the button at a time to coincide. A lapse of concentration causes a big delay even when other times are close together. However the consistency does not have a normal distribution. Reaction is fastest to a loud or bright signal and to a combined audio and visual signal.Īlthough reaction times are in the tenths of a second, consistency of reaction time is usually in the low hundredths of a second. Reaction time correlates to the strength of the signal, and to the number of signals. The Startle reflex is extremely fast, and is fastest in response to an audible cue behind the ear. Reaction to an auditory stimulus is faster than to a visual stimulus. The time to process the stimulus is much less than the time to take the action (e.g. Reaction times consist of the time required to recognise the stimulus, and the time to take the required action. A reaction time of 0.1 is considered to be a false start (IAAF Rule 161.2). Human reaction times are usually between 0.2 and 0.4 seconds.

Correct timing synonym