- Date:
- May 19, 2017
- Source:
- Universität Basel
- Summary:
- Athletes often have to compete late in the evening, when they are no longer able to perform at their best. However, researchers have shown that athletes who are exposed to blue light before competing can significantly increase their performance in the final spurt. The blue light had no impact on the athletes’ maximum performance.
- Share:
FULL STORY
Athletes in blue light: performance during the final spurt is clearly increased by light exposure.
Credit: University of Basel, Department of Sport, Exercise and Health
Many sports events take place late in
the evening, during television prime time. At this time of day, however,
many athletes often fail to perform at their best due to their
sleep-wake cycle. In a study headed by Professor Arno Schmidt-Trucksäss,
Raphael Knaier and colleagues at the University of Basel investigated
whether light exposure before a cycling time trial can compensate for
this disadvantage. The Sports and Exercise Medicine division, as well as
Professor Christian Cajochen at the Centre for Chronobiology, took part
in this extensive investigation involving 74 young male athletes.
It is well known that blue light reduces the production of the sleep
hormone melatonin. The researchers tested the hypothesis that this
suppression of melatonin could improve an athlete's endurance during a
12-minute cycling time trial. They randomly divided the participants
into three groups and exposed them to either bright light, blue
monochromatic light or control light for an hour. This light exposure
was immediately followed by the performance test on the bicycle
ergometer.
Bright light is less effective
Exposure to blue light significantly improved the athletes' ability to increase their performance during the final spurt of the time trial. This increase was defined as the ratio of the performance measured in the first minute to that of the last minute of the test. The subjects' improved performance in the final spurt also correlated with the amount of blue light. This light was able to effectively suppress the melatonin and thus influence the athletes' sleep-wake cycle.
Compared to the control light, bright light led to a small increase in overall performance, but the difference was not significant. "Since even minor differences are relevant in top-level sport, however, this should be investigated more closely in further studies," commented Professor Schmidt-Trucksäss.
Bright light is less effective
Exposure to blue light significantly improved the athletes' ability to increase their performance during the final spurt of the time trial. This increase was defined as the ratio of the performance measured in the first minute to that of the last minute of the test. The subjects' improved performance in the final spurt also correlated with the amount of blue light. This light was able to effectively suppress the melatonin and thus influence the athletes' sleep-wake cycle.
Compared to the control light, bright light led to a small increase in overall performance, but the difference was not significant. "Since even minor differences are relevant in top-level sport, however, this should be investigated more closely in further studies," commented Professor Schmidt-Trucksäss.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Universität Basel. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Materials provided by Universität Basel. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
No comments:
Post a Comment