Author(s): D ALESSANDRO, G., D'ERMO, A., DI LIBERO, T., RODIO, A., Institution: UNIVERSITY OF CASSINO AND SOUTHERN LAZIO, Country: ITALY, Abstract-ID: 2027

INTRODUCTION:
Visuomotor reaction time (VMRT) is a critical determinant of sport performance, particularly in disciplines requiring rapid decision-making under dynamic conditions. Stroboscopic visual training (SVT) aims to enhance visual information processing; however, evidence combining SVT with interactive light stimuli and involving both upper and lower limbs across different sport typologies remains limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the responses under different tasks combined with interactive light stimuli and wearing stroboscopic glasses (SG), on manual and podal reaction time (RT), dividing participants in two groups: individual and team sports.
METHODS:
23 athletes (24.65 ± 4.80, years) were assigned by to group: individual (ISG, n° = 14) and team sport group (TSG, n° = 15). Participants performed simple (SRT), recognition (RRT), and choice reaction time (CRT) tasks using a BlazePod system with both limbs. Both group performed three tasks (T0, T1, T2) without SG and three wearing SG.
RESULTS:
Comparing T0 and T2 the ISG, obtain fastest responses in all parameters: SRTM −112 ms (−16.9%), RRTM −92 ms (−13.0%), CRTM −57 ms (−6.8%), with the largest gains in simple reaction tasks. The TSG, obtain better responses mainly in simple reaction tasks (SRTM −85 ms) while recognition and choice tasks remained stable. At T0, ISG was slower than TSG across all parameters; at T2, ISG remained slower in complex tasks, while choice reaction with hands (CRTM) not showed statistical differences. In addition, a RM ANOVA was conducted and results showed that TSG showed faster RT in complex tasks (RRT and CRT) with hands (RRTM, 0.041, RRTT 0.014; CRTM 0.013, CRTT 0.019), and also with feet (RRTM 0.032, RRTT 0.050) though less pronounced.
CONCLUSION:
Interactive light-based training evidence in VMRT responses in both groups. SVT does not induce superior short-term gains but accentuate sport-specific adaptations, especially in complex reaction tasks. These findings highlight the critical need to tailor SVT based on sport type to maximize performance benefits.