Circadian Rhythms in Competitive Sabre Fencers: Internal Desynchronization and Performance |
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Authors: | Alain Reinberg Sylvie Proux Jean Pierre Bartal Francis Lévi Alena Bicakova-rocher |
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Affiliation: | 1. E.R. de Chronobiologie Humaine, CNRS No 105, Fondation A. de Rothschild, 29 Rue Manin, 75940, Paris, Cedex, 19, France;2. Département d'Anthropologie et Ecologie Humaine, Université, de Paris V, France |
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Abstract: | During a 7-10 day span, circadian rhythms of sleep-wake, self-rated fatigue and mood, oral temperature, eye-hand skill and right and left hand grip strength were investigated in eight subjects: five males (21-28 years of age), members of the French sabre fencing team selected for the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, and three females (19-26 years of age) practicing fleuret (foil) fencing as a sports activity. On the average six measurements/day/variable/subject were performed. The single cosinor method showed that a circadian rhythm was detectable for only 26 out of the 56 time series (46.4%). Power spectrum analysis gave almost the same figure (19 out of 48: 39.5%) with regard to rhythms with τ=24hr indicating that with one exception (subject JFL) rhythms were internally desynchronized including differences τ between right and left hand grip strength rhythms for three subjects. Results suggest: (a) a physiologic synchronization of circadian rhythms may be a predictor of good performance; (b) however, internal desynchronization as shown previously may be a trivial phenomenon and thus does not imply in itself alterations of either health or performance; (c) chronobiologic methods should be recommended for a better understanding of changes in performance by those participating in competitive and other sports. |
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Keywords: | Autorhythmometry circadian rhythms internal desynchronization performance sabre fencing sports |
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