Comparative characteristics of simple sensorimotor reaction parameters in residents of Northern and Southern regions of the European Part of Russia

Background: The existing universal standardization system for simple visual-motor reaction parameters does not account for the physical and geographical characteristics of a person’s place of residence or their sex. Investigating the influence of physical and geographical factors on manifestations of simple sensorimotor reaction may help objectify the assessment of the functional state of the central nervous system (CNS) in individuals.

Aim: The work aimed to characterize the specific manifestations of simple sensorimotor reaction parameters in residents of the northern and southern regions of the European part of Russia.

Methods: The study included 64 clinically healthy men and women of European descent aged 19–23 years, indigenous residents of the Arkhangelsk Region and the Volgograd Region. Using the UPFT-1/30 Psychophysiologist device, the following basic and integral parameters of simple visual-motor reaction were analyzed: minimum reaction time, maximum reaction time, mean reaction time, median, number of anticipatory reactions, accuracy level, stability level, response speed level, CNS activation level, and the integral characteristic “classification squares.”

Results: A high level of CNS activation, which systematically reflects the speed and stability of sensorimotor responses, ensures a pronounced functional potential in men from southern regions, despite a slight imbalance in the nervous system due to predominant excitation processes. In contrast, men from northern regions exhibited opposite neurodynamic properties: reduced CNS activation, predominance of inhibitory processes, slower reaction speed, increased response stability and higher sensorimotor accuracy.

The analysis of the parameters revealed differences between men and women depending on place of residence: among residents of the northern regions, simple visual-motor reaction values were nearly identical in both sexes. Among southern residents, women had statistically significantly longer mean reaction times (p = 0.02) and medians (p = 0.05) compared with men. Overall, no statistically significant differences in simple visual-motor reaction parameters were observed between women from northern and southern regions.

Conclusion: The findings confirm that physical and geographical factors influence the functional state of the CNS. The study characterizes the specific features of simple sensorimotor reaction parameters in men and women from the northern and southern regions of the European part of Russia. Considering the birthplace, place of residence, and sex enables personalized standardization of simple visual-motor reaction assessment results.