Time-of-day variation on performance measures in repeated-sprint tests: a systematic review

Abstract

The lack of standardization of methods and procedures have hindered agreement in the literature related to time-of-day effects on repeated sprint performance and needs clarification. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate and systematically review the evidence relating to time-of-day based on performance measures in repeated-sprints. The entire content of PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, SPORTDiscus® (via EBSCOhost) and Web of Science was searched. Only experimental research studies conducted in male adult participants aged ≥18yrs, published in English before June 2019 were included. Studies assessing repeatedsprints between a minimum of two time-points during the day (morning versus evening) were deemed eligible. The primary search revealed that a total of 10 out of 112 articles were considered eligible and subsequently included. Seven articles were deemed strong and three moderate quality. Eight studies found repeated-sprint performance across the first, first few, or all sprints, to increase in favor of the evening. The magnitude of difference is dependent on the modality and the exercise protocol used. The non-motorized treadmill established an average 3.5-8.5% difference in distance covered, average and peak velocity, and average power, across all sprints in three studies and in peak power in two studies. In cycling, power output differed across all sprints by 6.0% in one study and 8.0% for the first sprint only in five studies. All four studies measuring power decrement values (i.e. rate of fatigue) established differences up to 4.0% and two out of five studies established total work to be significantly higher by 8.0%. Repeated-sprint performance is affected by time-of-day with greater performance in the late/ early afternoon. The magnitude is dependent on the variable assessed and the mode of exercise. There is a clear demand for more rigorous investigations which control factors that specifically relate to investigations of time-of-day and are specific to the sport of individuals.

Sex differences in shoulder performance fatiguability are affected by arm position, dominance and muscle group

“…Following the familiarisation process, all participants then completed two identical experimental sessions which took place 10 days apart to minimise any learning effect and to exclude any muscle soreness. Both sessions were conducted at the same time-of-day to reduce potential influence of circadian rhythmicity [ 32 ].…”

The effect of diurnal variation on the performance of exhaustive continuous and alternated-intensity cycling exercises

“…Following the incremental cycling test, each participant completed a cycling exercise at constant or alternated intensities, in the morning 08:00 (AM) or in the late afternoon 18:00 (PM). The sessions were randomized and counterbalanced in order of administration to minimize any learning effects [11,25]. The intervals between testing sessions for recovery were at least equal to 48 hours.…”

“…Many chronobiological field studies have demonstrated diurnal variation in cycling performance [1,[20][21][22][23][24][25][26]. Poorer performances are commonly observed in the AM, while best performances are attained in the PM [5,[25][26][27].…”

“…Many chronobiological field studies have demonstrated diurnal variation in cycling performance [1,[20][21][22][23][24][25][26]. Poorer performances are commonly observed in the AM, while best performances are attained in the PM [5,[25][26][27]. Several authors have claimed that the daily variations in short-term performance are paralleled closely with that of BT [28][29][30] but the exact mechanism(s) for a causal link between BT and human performance are still unclear and require more research [31].…”

“…Several authors have claimed that the daily variations in short-term performance are paralleled closely with that of BT [28][29][30] but the exact mechanism(s) for a causal link between BT and human performance are still unclear and require more research [31]. The existences of TD effects on short-term exercise (� 6 sec) involving anaerobic metabolism have previously been established [25,28,32]. However, few studies have investigated the TD effect on aerobic performance.…”