Whole-body Reaction Measurement

The Wayne Interface Control Box is an adaptor for using external sensor switches (such as foot switches, handheld buttons or the Wayne Infra-Red Sensor Beam ?) with the Wayne Computerized Saccadic Fixator (WCSF). Switches plugged into the interface can be used in place of the built-in start/stop (reset), left light (9 o'clock), right light (3 o'clock), top light (12 o'clock), and bottom light (6 o'clock) switches on the WCSF.

The older Reaction Measurement Sensor Interface (no longer in production) worked similarly but did not provide access to the top and bottom lights. All the activities described in this tutorial can also be performed with the older interface.

Applications

The interface lets the WCSF measure reaction times for tasks involving the entire body rather than just the hands. You can measure four types of reaction time:

Response to an auditory or visual stimulus

This test measures the time the subject requires to activate a sensor in response to a light or tone.

Plug one sensor into the LEFT LIGHT/BUTTON jack on the interface. The tester will start the test with this sensor.
Plug another sensor into the RIGHT LIGHT/BUTTON jack. The subject will respond with this sensor.
Select program 19 on the WCSF and press the START/STOP button.
Start the test by activating the left sensor or pressing the 9 o'clock button on the MCSF.
Subject activates the right sensor as soon as he hears a beep or sees the 3 o'clock light ccme on. The WCSF display will show the response time in milliseconds.
Test can be repeated by activating the left sensor again.

Release and response ("Reaction Plus')

This test measures two times: the time the subject requires to release an activated sensor in response to a light or tone, and the time the subject requires to activate a second sensor after releasing the first one.

Plug the first sensor into the START/STOP BUTTON jack.
Plug the second sensor into the RIGHT LIGHT/BUTTON jack.
Select program 9-40 on the WCSF. Then press the 2, 5 and ENTER keys on the WCSF. This forces the WCSF to use the 3 o'clock light for the test.
Subject activates and holds first sensor.
Subject releases first sensor and activates second sensor when he hears beep or sees light come on. WCSF display alternates between release time and activation time in milliseconds.
Test can be repeated by subject activating first sensor again.

Sequential activation

This test measures the time between successive activations of two sensors.

Plug the first sensor into the LEFT LIGHT/BUTTON jack.
Plug the second sensor into the RIGHT LIGHT/BUTTON jack.
Select program 9-18 on the WCSF and press the START/STOP button.
Subject activates first sensor and then second sensor. WCSF displays time between activation in milliseconds.
Test can be repeated by another activation sequence.

Moving-target anticipation

This test measures the subject's ability to anticipate the position of a moving ball. It requires the Wayne Anticipatory Speed Trac.

Plug the sensor (which will usually be the Infra-Red Sensor Beam) into the START/STOP BUTTON jack.
Connect the Speed Trac to the WCSF.
Select program 9-50 on the WCSF.
Start the test by pressing the START/STOP button on theWCSF. Subject activates sensor (e.g. by swinging bat) when he anticipates the "ball" being in the right place. WCSP displays over/undershoot in milliseconds.
Test can be repeated by pressing START/STOP button.

Sports Training and Testing Activities

These are a few suggested activities that can be performed with the Interface Control Box, the WCSF, and various sensors. We would appreciate hearing your ideas for additional activities.

Baseball

This activity measures a player's hitting ability.

Set up WCSF for a moving-target anticipation measurement.
Use Infra-Red Sensor Beam. Position unit and adjust sensitivity control so that unit beeps only when player swings at correct height.

Many of the activities described for other sports can be adapted for use in baseball.

Basketball

Jump repetition

This activity counts the number of times a player can jump to at least a certain height in 15 seconds.

Select program 9-55 on the WCSF.
Plug a floor switch into the RIGHT LIGHT/BUTTON jack.
Plug an Infra-Red Sensor Beam into the LEFT LIGHT/BUTTON jack. Mount the sensor sideways on the wall at the minimum desired height. Attach a target (string, etc.) to the ceiling.
Start the activity by pressing the START/STEP switch on the WCSF.
Player stands on floor switch and jumps up to touch the ceiling target, triggering the sensor. Player must return to ground; waving an arm In front of the IR sensor will not add to the count.

Hang time

This activity measures how long a player can stay in the air after jumping.

Set up the interface and WCSF for a sequential activation measurement.
Use Infra-Red Sensor Beam as first sensor. Mount it sideways on the wall at the minimum desired height. Attach target to celling.
Use floor switch as second sensor.
Player jumps up and triggers the IR sensor. When player hits the ground, display shows hang time.

Football

This activity measures the time a lineman takes to get up fron a three-point stance and hit a blocking sled.

Set up the interface and WCSF for a release and response measurement.
Use switch pad as first sensor.
Use Infra-Red Sensor Beam as second sensor. Position unit so that movement of sled interrupts beam.
Player crouches on switch pad, waits for signal and hits sled.
Release time indicates player's reaction time; response time indicates player's running speed.

Ice Hockey

This activity measures a player's face-off speed.

Set up the interface and WCSF for a release and response measurement.
Use switch pad as first sensor.
Use Infra-Red Sensor Beam as second sensor. Position unit so that puck will interrupt beam when hit.
Player places stick on switch pad, waits for signal and hits puck.
Release time Indicates player's reaction tine; response tine indicates speed of puck.

Running

This activity measures the times the runner takes to leave the starting block and run a given distance.

Set up the interface and WCSF for a release and response measurement.
Use a switch pad placed on the starting block as first sensor.
Use an Infra-Red Sensor Beam as second sensor. Position unit on its side at the desired distance so the runner will interrupt the beam.
Runner gets on block, waits for signal and sprints. Release time indicates runner's reaction time to starting gun; response time indicates sprint speed.

Soccer

This activity measures the time a player takes to kick a ball.

Set up the interface and WCSF for a release and response measurement.
Use switch pad as first sensor.
Use Infra-Red Sensor Beam as second sensor. Position unit so that ball kicked in proper direction will interrupt the beam.
Place ball next to switch pad.
Player places foot on switch pad. On signal, player kicks ball.
Release time indicates player's reaction time; response time indicates speed of ball.

Tennis

This activity measures a player's reaction time and accuracy of swing.

Set up the interface and WCSF for a response measurement.
Use hand-held switch as first sensor.
Use Infra-Red Sensor Beam as second sensor. Position unit and adjust sensitivity so that unit beeps only when player swings at correct height.
Tester begins test with hand-held switch. Player swings racquet when he hears beep.
Response time indicates player's reaction time. Excessively long response time indicates that player missed first swing.

The moving-target anticipation test can also be used here.

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