What is the term for the lapse of time between muscular movement and external stimuli?

The term that describes the lapse of time between muscular movement and external stimuli is reaction time. This concept emphasizes the speed at which an individual can perceive a stimulus and initiate a muscular response. In various physical activities and sports, having a quick reaction time is crucial as it can significantly impact performance. For instance, an athlete needs to react swiftly to a starting gun or an opponent's move in order to gain a competitive edge.

Understanding reaction time is essential for athletes and coaches who aim to improve performance through training methods aimed at enhancing this specific aspect of skill-related fitness. This can include drills and exercises that focus on improving sensory processing speed and muscular response time under different conditions.

The other terms, while related to movement and response, do not accurately capture this specific aspect. For example, response time often encompasses both reaction time and the subsequent execution of a movement, making it a broader concept. Coordination time typically refers to the ability to execute complex movements efficiently, while agility time relates to the ability to change direction quickly while maintaining control, neither of which directly defines the interval between stimulus and muscular movement.