The objective of this study is to elucidate the characteristics of whole body choice reaction time, movement time, and motion time among top-level collegiate kendo practioneers (or kendoka). The subjects are 20 male collegiate kendoka who are classified into regular kendoka (n=9) and reserve kendoka (n=11) groups. A Type I whole body reaction time measurement device is used for measurements in a test in which subjects perform a whole body exercise (a jump) as quickly as possible in response to light stimulation. In addition, whole body choice reaction time, movement time, and motion time in the forward, backward, and lateral directions are measured using selective and simple light stimulation. Although the reserve group exhibits a significantly shorter whole body reaction time than the regular group in the rightward direction in response to simple light stimulation, no significant intergroup differences are observed in other directions or in response to selective light stimulation. However, the regular player group has a significantly shorter movement time and motion time than the reserve player group in response to selective and simple light stimulation in all directions. These findings indicate that regular team members complete jumping motions more quickly than reserve team members.
