Is physical training a good synchronizer of the performance?

Abstract

Whether changes in the training schedule are capable of modifying the daily pattern of performance has been studies. Twelve swimmers were selected to determine their performance in 25 meter crawl races. Their body temperature was also measured. This group was subsequently divided into 3 subgroups: Sub-group 1, made up of 2 subjects who acted as the control subgroup, trained only in the afternoon; Sub-group 2, composed of 5 subjects, trained only in the morning; and Subgroup 3, also made up of 5 subjects, trained in the afternoon but with an additional session of 10 min of swimming in the morning. All subjects followed their corresponding training pattern for three weeks after which they were subjected to a second study or testing day. Thereafter, they all trained one more week according to the same habitual schedule in the evening; after that, they were tested again. A significant variance in the performance time was observed throughout the day (a maximum performance being observed at around 20:30 h), although the changes introduced in the training schedule did not modify the curve of performance.