The effect of time-of-day on static and dynamic balance in recreational athletes

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of time-of-day (morning vs. afternoon) on static and dynamic balance in recreational athletes. A total of 34 recreational athletes completed the single-leg stance test with or without eyes open, lower quarter Y-balance test, upper quarter Y-balance test, and single-leg landing balance test in a random order in the morning (7:00-10:00 am) and afternoon (3:00-6:00 pm) for two consecutive days. Compared with the morning, participants demonstrated decreased centre of pressure (COP) sway areas (p = 0.002; Cohen's d (d) = 0.28) and sway speeds (p = 0.002; d = 0.17) during the eyes-open single-leg stance test, increased stance time (p = 0.031; d = 0.16) and decreased COP sway areas (p = 0.029; d = 0.22) during the eyes-closed single-leg stance test, and increased reaching distances (p = 0.024; d = 0.10) during the upper quarter Y-balance test in the afternoon. The between-day effect (day 1 vs. day 2) was observed for several parameters. Time-of-day had a minimal effect on dynamic balance and a noticeable effect on static balance. Time-of-day may be considered as a factor in designing balance training programmes and intervention studies for recreational athletes.