Anita Gaule1, Gourav Bhattad2, Aditi Sood3
BACKGROUND
Reaction time (RT) is a simple, non-invasive means of estimating sensorimotor coordination
and monitoring performance of an individual. The effect of body mass
index (BMI) on RT, suggests that underweight, overweight and obese have
increased RT as compared to normal BMI individuals. We wanted to compare the
effects of supine, sitting and standing postures on RT and determine the influence
of BMI on the same.
METHODS
An observational cross-sectional study was carried out over 2 months in the
Department of Physiology on 60 medical students (30 males and 30 females).
Visual and auditory choice reaction times of subjects were measured in supine,
sitting and standing postures for green, red and yellow colours and high, medium
and low frequency sounds.
RESULTS
In sitting posture, significant and moderate negative correlation was observed
between BMI and visual reaction time (VRT) while the correlation between
auditory reaction time (ART) and BMI was weak negative but non-significant. In
standing posture, non-significant and weak negative correlation was observed
between BMI and VRT, also the correlation between ART and BMI was weak
negative but not significant. In supine posture, significant and moderate negative
correlation was observed between BMI and ART while the correlation between
VRT and BMI was weak negative but not significant.
CONCLUSIONS
When compared with normal BMI group, higher BMI subjects had longer visual as
well as auditory reaction times. The difference was not found to be statistically
significant though. A weak or moderate negative correlation between BMI and
reaction time (r value < 0.4 in magnitude) was observed in three different
postures.
