1)
To begin, a simple definition of reaction time is needed. Reaction time is the interval of time between when a change or stimulus is presented and when you initiate a reaction to that change or stimulus. For example, you are sitting at a red stoplight waiting for it to
turn green. When the light turns from red to green, you are presented with a change or stimulus. However, your response is not instantaneous due to the naturally inherent delays of your sensory, neurological, and muscular systems. It takes time for your brain to interpret the change from a red light to a green light and then send a signal through your nervous system to your muscles so they can react and allow you to accelerate your car through the intersection. The time from when the light turns green to when your foot presses on the gas pedal is your personal reaction time.
2)
Next, you must understand that there are uncontrollable factors, including age and gender, involved in each persons individual reaction time. Younger people tend to have faster reaction times then older people. Males tend to have faster reaction times than females. There are exceptions to these factors, however they generally hold true for most people
3)
Also, there are several controllable factors that can effect reaction time. Factors such as fatigue and substance use definitely have a negative effect on reaction times.
Many athletes are concerned with trying to speed up their reaction time in order to score more points, set more records or just play the game a little better than before.
If improving your reaction time is a priority before a big game or other task, then you must follow a few simple caveats.
First, get plenty of rest before the event. Try to get a full nights sleep the night before and avoid any unnecessary activities that will
increase fatigue. Fatigue is a real hindrance to a fast reaction time and no amount of practice will change this fact.
Second, avoid the use of drugs or alcohol several days before any event. These substances impair the function of all bodily systems, but they especially effect your sensory and neurological systems in an adverse way. Alcohol serves as a depressant in the human body and it tends to "dumb down" both your cognitive and physical abilities. Many drugs have the same effect.
4)Finally, reaction time can be improved, though modestly, by practicing simple reaction tests that are designed to condition the participant to improve focus and their response to a stimulus change. Common reaction time practice tests involve the use of a visual signal or audio stimulus and then a measurement of the participant's response time.