Question: why do we react quickly when doing sports?

Stuart Mourton answered on 13 Jun 2011:

Aha!! Great question!! This is exactly what I look at and try to come up with reasons for! There are loads of different situations in sport that need fast reactions. I think most people know of Usain Bolt, the 100m and 200m sprinter. His events require incredibly quick reactions. He will try for a great length of time, getting his body to the optimal level of preparation (legs and arms tensed to just the right amount) so that as soon as the gun goes, he can explode out of his blocks. Similarly a goal keeper has to react very quickly to a free kick in football, diving in one direction or the other to save a shot. I’m going to ask you a question now! Can you see any difference between the reaction Bolt has to make to the gun, and the reaction the Goalie has to make to the free kick? Have a think, chat to your mates and if you’re not sure I’ll give you a clue!!