Chronotype and physical activity: An objective one-week assessment of young adults in a controlled home setting

The relationship between chronotype and physical activity (PA) is of significant interest due to the well-established connection between PA and numerous health issues, including obesity. While previous research has yielded mixed results, most studies suggest that an individual's PA level is influenced by their chronotype, with morning types generally exhibiting higher PA levels. In the current investigation, we conducted a secondary analysis of actigraphy data, focusing exclusively on the wellrested sleep week collected in the parent protocol. Research-grade actigraphy devices were used to record PA, sampling data every 30 s. We report PA levels for all 7 d and across all waking hours. Contrary to previous findings, our results show no significant differences in average PA levels among intermediate, morning, and evening chronotypes. Given the critical role of PA in overall health and its link to obesity, identifying potential chronotype-related risks should inform decision-making processes, health policies, and practices. Our findings highlight the need for further research to better understand the relationship between chronotype and PA, particularly in the context of controlled sleep schedules and in specific age groups.