An experimental investigation was conducted to explore visual reaction time and visual anticipation time between athletes and non-athletes. These visual perceptual skills form the base for cognitive processes required by the brain to respond instantaneously to a stimulus. A total of 228 adolescents, equally distributed between athletes and non-athletes, aged 13 to 16 years (mean age 14.69 ± 0.99 years) were examined. The visual reaction time and visual anticipation time were measured using a Lafayette Reaction Timer (Model 63035) and Bassin Anticipation Timer (Model 35575) respectively. The visual reaction time results revealed that athletes have faster reaction time scores as compared to non-athletes, whereas with visual anticipation time, athletes had fewer errors and a higher consistency compared to non-athletes. There was, however, no interaction between gender and sports participation noted for both these visual perceptual skills. These research findings indicate that gender was not an obstacle in sports participation, therefore not limiting the potential to excel in sports performance. Knowledge gained from these research findings will benefit the sports industry, specifically in athletic and sports training as well as provide a basis for the identification of an individual’s potential in their sports.
athletes ; non-athletes ; sports ; visual anticipation time ; visual reaction time

Spondylolysis, also known as stress injury of pars interarticularis, is a common cause of back pain in athletes, particularly children and young adults. Repeated minor traumas during flexion and extension of the spine are thought to result in bony failure due to excessive bone resorption. These lesions are common in the low back, with the majority found at the L5 vertebra. In the majority of cases of spondylolysis, non-operative treatments are recommended, such as NSAIDs, physiotherapy and bracing. Only if symptoms do not respond to conservative treatments should surgical intervention be considered. Recently, pars interarticularis injections for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes have been found to allow significant pain relief from spondylolysis for long periods. Here, the case of a 57-year-old man with spondylolysis, who suffered from back pain, which was not relieved by an epidural steroid injection, but in whom pars interarticularis injections of local anesthetic and steroid induced complete transient pain relief, following by moderate long-term relief, is presented.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; Athletes ; Back Pain ; Bone Resorption ; Braces ; Child ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Spine ; Spondylolysis* ; Young Adult