"Go" Signal Intensity Influences the Sprint Start

Abstract

Graded decreases in RT may reflect a summation-mediated reduction in audiomotor transmission time, whereas step-like decreases associated with startle may reflect a bypassing of specific cortical circuits. We suggest that procedures presently used to start the Olympic sprint events afford runners closer to the starter the advantage of hearing the "go" signal louder; consequently, they react sooner but not more strongly than their competitors.