Saturday, June 30, 2012

When to train for optimal performance?

What time of day is best for training.  From this study it looks like the answer is .....whenever you usually train....although in general it looks like late afternoon is best for strength training.  That will be just after work then.



Abstract
This article focuses on physical performances after training at a specific time of day. To date, although the effect of time of day on aerobic performances appears to be equivocal, during anaerobic exercises, the effect of time of day has been well established with early morning nadirs and peak performances in the late afternoon. These diurnal rhythms can be influenced by several factors such as the regular training at a specific time of day. Indeed, regular training in the morning hours may increase the lower morning performances to the same or even higher level as their normal diurnal peak typically observed in the late afternoon by a greater increase of performance in the evening. However, regular training in the evening hours may increase the morning-evening (i.e., amplitude of the rhythm) difference by a greater increase of performance in the late afternoon. Therefore, adaptations to training are greater at the time of day at which training is regularly performed than at other times. Nevertheless, although modifications in resting hormones concentrations could explain this time-of-day specific adaptations, precise information on the underlying mechanisms is lacking.

2 comments:

FeelGoodEating said...

This actually also co-incides with the "rhythems" "timing" of chinese energy pathways.Interesting...

Perhaps that's why the asian masters designated the morning hours for contemplation, meditation, painting and reading. The afternoon was all about hard physical training.

as a teaser "lung energy" starts the cycle at 4 am i believe.

Cheers,
Marc

Christine Mattice said...

I don't know about the effects of training at a certain time of day, but I know that working out in the morning (before my day really begins) helps me stay with my workout plan.