The Effect of Training at the Same Time of Day and Tapering Period on the Diurnal Variation of Short Exercise Performances

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the effects of training and tapering at the same time of the day on the diurnal variations of short exercise performances. Thirty-one physically active men underwent 12 weeks of lower-extremity resistance training and 2 weeks of tapering. These subjects were matched and randomly assigned to a morning training group (MTG, training times 0700-0800 hours, n = 10), an evening training group (ETG, training times 1700-1800 hours, n = 11), and a control group (CG, completed all tests but did not train, n = 10). Muscular strength and power testing was conducted before (T0) and after 12 weeks of training (T1) and after 2 weeks of tapering (T2) in the morning (0700-0800 hours) and in the evening (1700-1800 hours). All morning and evening tests were performed in separate sessions (minimum interval = 36 hours) in a randomized design. In T0, the oral temperature and performances during the Wingate, vertical jump (squat jump and countermovement jump), and maximal voluntary contraction tests were higher in the evening than in the morning for all the groups. In T1, these diurnal variations were blunted in the MTG and persisted in the ETG and CG. In T2, the 2 weeks of tapering resulted in further time of day-specific adaptations and increases in short-term maximal performances. However, there was no significant difference in the relative increase between the MTG and the ETG after both training and tapering. From a practical point of view, if the time of competition is known, training and tapering sessions before a major competition must be conducted at the same time of the day at which one's critical performance is programmed. Moreover, if the time of the competition is not known, a tapering phase after resistance training program could be performed at any time of the day with the same benefit.

The Chronotype of Elite Athletes

“…For the elite athlete, behaviours such as sleep as well as daytime activities are often dictated by training and competition schedules (Sargent et al, 2014). In circumstances where athletes are required to perform at a different time of day, performance adaptations can occur when training programs are carried out at the time of day at which their upcoming competition will take place (Chtourou et al, 2012; Hill et al, 1989; Souissi et al, 2002). Chtourou et al (2012) confirmed that exercise training modified the diurnal variations of performance with greater improvement in performance at the time of day at which training was conducted.…”

Diurnal variation of cognitive performance and perceived difficulty in dart-throwing performance in 9–10-year-old boys

“…Diurnal variation of cognitive performance and perceived difficulty in dart-throwing performance in 9-10-year-old boys Introduction Various psychological and physiological functions have been shown to undergo changes relative to the time of the solar day (Atkinson & Reilly 1996;Chtourou et al 2012). These variations are known as circadian or diurnal rhythms (Cappaert 1999;Chtourou et al 2012).…”

“…These variations are known as circadian or diurnal rhythms (Cappaert 1999;Chtourou et al 2012). Circadian rhythms are present in several elements of sensorimotor, psychomotor, perceptual, and cognitive function (Jarraya et al 2013;Jarraya, Jarraya, Chtourou, et al 2014).…”

Rapid weight loss in the context of Ramadan observance: recommendations for judokas

“…Possible approaches have included a reduction of food and fluid intake, exercising in impermeable plastic blouses and suits to increase sweating, and passive dehydration (sitting in a sauna) [8, 21]. Often, endurance exercise is added to the usual training sessions; this supplementary exercise reduces body mass, but the need to increase training volume/load negates efforts at tapering, and it may result in fatigue, overreaching, or overtraining, with negative effects on mood and physical performance [22]. More aggressive and prohibited tactics include self-induced vomiting and the use of diuretics, laxatives, and anorexic medication [8, 19].…”