Introduction: RT (Reaction time) is defined as the interval of time between the presentation of the stimulus and appearance of appropriate voluntary response in the subject. Human RT works through nervous system that recognizes the stimulus. Neurons relay this impulse to brain which travels to spinal cord and reaches person’s hand and fingers. RT in response to a situation can significantly influence our life due to its practical implications. Fast RTs can give rewards (e.g. in sports), whereas slow RT can lead to grave consequences (e.g. driving and road safety matters). Factors that can affect the human RT include age, gender, left or right hand, central versus peripheral vision, practice, fatigue, fasting, exercise etc. Hence present study was conducted, which was aimed to compare VRT (visual reaction time) and ART (auditory reaction time) on the basis of gender in first year medical student. Material and Methods: Study was conducted in 120 medical students (60 male 60 female). Visual Reaction time and auditory reaction time were recorded by using Reaction time apparatus Anand Agencies Pune. It works on 230 volts AC. The instrument is specially designed to measure reaction time in seconds. It has Inbuilt digital chronoscope present on examiners side which measures the reaction time in seconds. Data was analyzed by unpaired “t” test. We found both ART and VRT in male were statistically significant than in female (p<0.05). Conclusion: Thus our study showed Males have shorter reaction time than females. Males react faster than females in response to changes in external environment.

Keywords: Auditory Reaction Time; Male; Female; Reaction Time; Visual Reaction Time.