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Int J Sports Med 2015; 36(02): 101-106
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1389970
Physiology & Biochemistry
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Effects of Evening Bright Light Exposure on Subsequent Morning Exercise Performance

A. Thompson
1   Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
2   Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
,
H. Jones
2   Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
,
E. Marqueze
3   School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
,
W. Gregson
2   Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
,
G. Atkinson
4   Health and Social Care Institute, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted after revision 01 August 2014

Publication Date:
06 October 2014 (online)

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Abstract

We investigated the effects of evening bright light on the circadian timing of core temperature and morning exercise performance under conditions of high thermal stress. At 20:00 h, 8 males were exposed to a standardised light protocol and thereafter to either polychromatic bright light (2 500 lux at 50 cm, BL) or no light (0 lux, NL) for 30 min. The following morning, intermittent cycling exercise was undertaken followed by a 10 km time-trial in an environmental chamber set to 35°C and 60% relative humidity. Core body temperature was measured throughout. Data were analysed using a within-subjects model and presented as mean±SD. Time of the sleep-trough in core temperature occurred ~1.75 h later following BL (P=0.07). Prior to time-trial, core temperature was 0.27±0.42°C lower in BL (95%CI: −0.02 to 0.57, P=0.07). The time-trial was completed 1.43±0.63 min (0.98–1.87) faster in BL (P=0.001). Post time-trial, intestinal temperature was 38.21±0.56°C (37.84–38.57) in BL compared to 38.64±0.42°C (38.34–38.93) in NL (P=0.10). These data provide the first evidence that a 30-min exposure to bright light prior to sleep can influence exercise performance under hot conditions during the subsequent early morning.

Key words

circadian rhythms - thermoregulation - melatonin - performance - pre-cooling
 

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