How Does Age Affect Reaction Time
Does age affect reaction time?
Aim: To find out if age affects reaction time through the use of an online program created by Human Benchmark
Background information: in a study conducted by the University of Michigan, the most accepted theory for the effect of age on reaction time is that older people have a slower reaction time in comparison to people of a younger age. This is because adrenaline levels and reflexes are in best condition when young. Another reason of reaction times decreasing with age is that the brain processes nerve impulse more slowly. Having slower reactions times can have dangerous consequences such as when driving having decreased reactions can lead to car crashes.
Hypothesis: younger people will have a faster reaction time in comparison to older people this is due to higher adrenaline levels and …show more content…
While seated in a controlled environment.
Results: to calculate my results I took the five times measured through the online program and averaged them together, creating the first part of my results meaning I could create my table and graph as seen below. What my table and graph show is that age does have an effect on reaction time the effect seems to be quite consistent in how the time moves up between the ages showing that reaction time is slowed due to naturally degenerating functions of the body.
Age Average Reaction Time (milliseconds)
9 198
11 215
15 288
22 306
44 324
74 440
Aim: To find out if age affects reaction time through the use of an online program created by Human Benchmark
Background information: in a study conducted by the University of Michigan, the most accepted theory for the effect of age on reaction time is that older people have a slower reaction time in comparison to people of a younger age. This is because adrenaline levels and reflexes are in best condition when young. Another reason of reaction times decreasing with age is that the brain processes nerve impulse more slowly. Having slower reactions times can have dangerous consequences such as when driving having decreased reactions can lead to car crashes.
Hypothesis: younger people will have a faster reaction time in comparison to older people this is due to higher adrenaline levels and …show more content…
While seated in a controlled environment.
Results: to calculate my results I took the five times measured through the online program and averaged them together, creating the first part of my results meaning I could create my table and graph as seen below. What my table and graph show is that age does have an effect on reaction time the effect seems to be quite consistent in how the time moves up between the ages showing that reaction time is slowed due to naturally degenerating functions of the body.
Age Average Reaction Time (milliseconds)
9 198
11 215
15 288
22 306
44 324
74 440