Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I also need some help coming up with some real life application (5th grade level project).

The purpose of the project was to find out the affects of video games on a person's reaction time, making them faster or slower.
My hypothesis was that Video games improve reaction times.
I used 10 subjects and had them do a test (building a pyramind with cups) and I timed them. Then they played a video game of their choice for 10 minutes and then did the reaction test (stacking cups) again - and timed it.
The results - 9/10 subjects showed an increase in reaction time. So my hypothesis was correct.

Hello,

This sounds like a great project, and with interesting results. If I am correct, you are asking what a potential application of your study is?

I was thinking that an increase in reaction time could help athletes, surgeons, and everybody that is drives. Maybe you can think of further applications, reaction time is important in many areas.

Hope this helps,
Nithin T

Hello there,

In addition I would just like to add that if your hypothesis was correct and video games did improve reaction times, then it could have profound impacts on video games in the real world. They could be used as tools/devices to help people improve their reaction time...For example, it could even be used by the military, navy, etc. who really need to train and be prepared to act/react quickly...

Hope that helps!
Prasad

Hi I think this project has useful applications like the ones the other experts mentioned.I just wanted to add input,and say that studies have shown that playing video games not only improve a player's manual dexterity and computer literacy and but their reaction time(just like your project found)and these studies show that if a person suffers a coma or a stroke they will have a higher recovery rate and speed than those who did not play video games.Good luck!

Hi,
Just to add on, I think that your project can apply to older people who might have a decreased ability for movement. Perhaps you can suggest video games as a sort of therapy for older people who have slower reaction times and would like to regain some of their movement. I have also heard of related studies where elderly who play video games have increased capabilities of thinking and movement as opposed to elderly who do not play video games, so maybe you can look into that aspect as well! Best of luck!