Effect of an altered rest-activity or feeding schedule on the shift of motor activity rhythm of mice

Preflight acclimatization to the rhythm of destination and postflight daytime activity are assumed to be effective countermeasures against the jet lag syndrome. Regarding this idea, resynchronization of motor activity rhythm was investigated in mice subjected to daytime exercises on a driven belt before or after the reversal of lighting regimen. In addition, the effect of prior daytime feeding was studied. No evidence was manifested that the forced exercises or feeding schedule would hasten synchronization. This result indicates that the central control system of motor activity rhythm could not be manipulated favorably by such method in mice. On the basis of the result obtained, the applicability of countermeasures to human beings was discussed.