How quick your brain reacts

For the project I completed a test with my roommate. For this test, I used a standard 12 inch ruler, a desk, and my roommate Gary. 

Step 1 - I had Gary sit close to the table where his right hand was hanging over the edge.

Step 2 - I held the ruler at the top and told him to react when he saw the ruler fall. We did this 3 times.

Step 3 - We then had Gary close his eyes and when i dropped the ruler i said "go" and we would see how he would react. We did this 3 times.

Step 4 - On this part of the project we set it up the same but now I tapped his shoulder to let him know when I was dropping the ruler. We did this 3 times.

Here are my results:


Visual test

Trial 1	60 cm
Trial 2	20 cm
Trial 3	16 cm

Auditory test

Trial 1	No catch
Trial 2	28 cm
Trial 3	27 cm

Tactile test

Trial 1	No catch
Trail 2	23 cm
Trial 3	26 cm

In my test i completed my roommate performed better than I thought he would from experience of past test. It amazes me how fast his brain could react to different test that challenged his brain. I believe him being an athlete did help his reaction speed. I am amazed at how fast our brain works