映像刺激を用いた突き技への選択反応時における空手選手の情報処理能力

抄録

　The purpose of this study was to evaluate the information processing ability of karate contestants in terms of a behavioral index and a physiological index during a choice reaction task while viewing a karate video. The study participants were divided into 2 groups based on their karate experience: 7 in an elite group belonging to a university karate club, and 7 in a novice group who had no karate experience. The task assigned was to press buttons in response to specific actions shown on the video. If the video showed an upper punch, the participants were required to push a button using the right hand, whereas if a middle punch was shown they were required to push a button using the left hand. The reaction time from presentation of the visual stimulus to pressing the button and the proportion of correct responses were evaluated as a behavioral index, whereas the P300 latency and amplitude that were getting from stimulus were measured as a physiological index. The results revealed that, on the one hand, there was no significant difference in the vas that was measured difficulty of the task between the elite group and the novice group, and that the reactions in the 2 groups were similar. On the other hand, the elite group showed a significantly shorter reaction time and P300 latency than the novice group, the difference being particularly marked for the upper punch. Although there was no significant inter-group difference in P300 amplitude, the effect size of the main effect in the groups and punch types were large. These results suggested that the elite group showed high information processing ability during the choice reaction to the video stimulus. The present findings provide useful information for clarifying the brain mechanisms involved in the generation of skilled movements in athletes.