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Is physical training a good synchronizer of the performance?
C Javierre1, J L Ventura, R Segura
1Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas y Nutrición, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Barcelona, Spain.
Revista Espanola De Fisiologia
|June 1, 1997
Summary
This study investigated how training schedules affect swimmer performance. While daily performance patterns showed significant variation, altering training times did not change these natural rhythms.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Human Performance
- Chronobiology
Background:
- Daily performance patterns are influenced by circadian rhythms.
- Understanding how training schedules interact with these rhythms is crucial for optimizing athletic performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if modifications in training schedules can alter the daily performance patterns of swimmers.
- To investigate the relationship between training times, body temperature, and performance in aquatic athletes.
Main Methods:
- Twelve swimmers participated, divided into three subgroups with varied training schedules (morning, afternoon, or split sessions).
- Performance in 25-meter crawl races and body temperature were measured before and after a three-week training intervention.
- A final testing session occurred after an additional week of evening training.
Main Results:
- A significant diurnal variation in performance was observed, with peak performance typically occurring around 20:30.
- Despite the adjusted training schedules, no significant modification was found in the established daily performance curve across the subgroups.
- Body temperature measurements did not reveal a direct correlation that explained the lack of schedule-induced performance changes.
Conclusions:
- The daily pattern of performance in swimmers exhibits a natural rhythm that is not significantly altered by changes in training schedules.
- Athletes may need to align training and competition with their endogenous circadian rhythms for optimal results, irrespective of schedule modifications.