J. Ashok1, V. Suganthi2, I. Vijayalakshmi3
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Reaction time is the time taken to respond to a stimulus or change in the environment. It is a method to assess the time taken from the perception of a stimulus followed by mental processing for a motor response. Reaction time in various day to day activities as in driving a car is very important. Brake reaction time (BRT) is the time taken for the driver to respond to visualize an object and to press the brake pedal. It is affected by many features like age, gender, neuromuscular disorders.
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
Study has been undertaken to compare the BRT in male and female drivers and to analyze the effect of sex difference on Brake reaction time.
MATERIALS & METHODS
Male and female subjects between the age group of 25 – 35 years with driving license were included.
Study is conducted in a stationary car. An in-house built; braking timer is fixed to the electric circuit of the braking system in the car. This device is wirelessly connected to the reaction time software installed in the laptop. The subject is instructed to press the brake pedal when the light changed from red to green in the laptop screen. 5 readings are taken and the mean BRT is recorded.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS & RESULTS
Statistical analysis done with unpaired student t test indicates that the BRT was more in the females than the males and was statistically significant (p value - 0007).
CONCLUSION
Gender difference has a significant effect on BRT and reaction time in female is longer than for the males.
