The changes in choice reaction time related to type of muscular contraction and the concentration of ammonia
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Authors
Staszkiewicz A., Chmura J.
Abstract
The objective of this research project was the determination of changes in choice reaction time during graded exercise efforts with different types of muscular contraction i.e. mixed, concentric and eccentric. The shortest reaction time was also compared with a level of ammonia threshold. Ten, healthy male students of the Academy of Physical Education in Katowice took part in the study between April and May of 1997. The average age, body height and massed were 22±1,35 years, 177±5,7 cm and 75±4,8 kg respectively. The research project included 3 running tests on the treadmill of the graded intensity, performed until volitional exhaustion:
– test 1 performed on a treadmill set at 0º in relation to horizontal level (mixed muscular work),
– test 2 performed on a uphill setting of the treadmill equal 15º (concentric muscular work),
– test 3 performed on a downhill setting of treadmill equal 15º (eccentric muscular work).
After each workload, during the 1 min. rest interval blood samples were drawn from the antecubital vein for the evaluation of plasma ammonia (NH3) concentration. At rest and during the last 2 min of each workload choice reaction time (CRT) was measured with the MRK device produced by ZEAM. The changes in choice reaction time during graded exercise have a threshold character regardless of the type of muscular work used. The ammonia threshold and the shortest reaction time occur at a similar workloads in the mixed and concentric exercise protocols. In the eccentric exercise the shortest reaction time occurred slightly below the AT. Regardless of the type of muscular work used the concentration of ammonia in the blood shows a significant relationship with the CRT after exceeding the AT. Eccentric work causes great impairment of psychomotor performance even under small workloads expressed in oxygen uptake.
– test 1 performed on a treadmill set at 0º in relation to horizontal level (mixed muscular work),
– test 2 performed on a uphill setting of the treadmill equal 15º (concentric muscular work),
– test 3 performed on a downhill setting of treadmill equal 15º (eccentric muscular work).
After each workload, during the 1 min. rest interval blood samples were drawn from the antecubital vein for the evaluation of plasma ammonia (NH3) concentration. At rest and during the last 2 min of each workload choice reaction time (CRT) was measured with the MRK device produced by ZEAM. The changes in choice reaction time during graded exercise have a threshold character regardless of the type of muscular work used. The ammonia threshold and the shortest reaction time occur at a similar workloads in the mixed and concentric exercise protocols. In the eccentric exercise the shortest reaction time occurred slightly below the AT. Regardless of the type of muscular work used the concentration of ammonia in the blood shows a significant relationship with the CRT after exceeding the AT. Eccentric work causes great impairment of psychomotor performance even under small workloads expressed in oxygen uptake.
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