Comparison of foot and hand reaction times among men: a methodologic study using simple and multiple-choice repeated measurements.

The primary study goal was to compare visual simple and choice reaction times of the hand and foot to assess validity of measurements for evaluating subjects' ability to perform rapid, controlled movements. First, we examined the repeatability (N = 34) for four different data-sampling methods from a series of 12 trials within sessions and between two test sessions. Simple and choice reaction times with the preferred hand and both feet were then compared among 153 healthy male volunteers aged 35 to 67 years. Pearson correlations for hand and ipsilateral and contralateral foot reaction times on simple and choice tasks (.53 to .80, p < .001) showed that psychomotor foot reaction time is a valid method for study of neuromuscular control of lower extremities.