1Post Graduate Student, S.S. Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Davangere, Karnataka
2Professor, S.S. Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Davangere, Karnataka
3Post Graduate Student, Department of Paediatrics, Basaveshwara Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Chitradurga, Karnataka
4Prof & Head, Department of Physiology, S.S. Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Davangere, Karnataka
*Corresponding author: H M Kavyashree, Postgraduate Student, Department of Physiology, SSIMS & RC, Davangere, No 3636, Dr H M Kavyashree, D/O H M Ravishankar KSRTC Bus Depot Road, Chitradurga-577501, Karnataka, India. Phone no - 9449169221. Email id - drkavyashreehm@gmail.com
Online published on 9 September, 2013.
Study was done to find out whether Auditory and Visual reaction time (ART, VRT) is affected in school children who watch television (TV) daily. 56 school children of both gender aged between 1014 years were included and informed consent was obtained. Children watching TV for less than 1 hour per day were taken as controls and those watching for more than 2 hours per day were included in study group. Daily hours of physical activity, academic performances were enquired. ART and VRT was measured using Portable Reaction Time Response Apparatus supplied by Inco Instrumentation. Student t test was applied for two groups to find out significant difference. VRT was significant with p value = 0.008. Hours of daily TV watching was significant with p value= 0.000. Academic performance was significant for boys with p value= 0.033. Physical activity was significantly affected in study group with p value = 0.004. VRT was prolonged in children watching TV for more than 2 hours. TV watching causes memory and concentration problems leading to decreased academic performance, replaces activities like sports, outdoor games which are essential for growing children.
School Children Television Watching Auditory Reaction Time Visual Reaction Time Academic Performance Physical Activity
