Diurnal interindividual differences in the habitual activity pattern of top level athletes.

Abstract/Summary When dealing with athletes' performance levels there come into play biological factors and environmental influences. From the psychophysiological point of view the interindividual diurnal differences in the subjective alertness and optimal performance are most important. Different sport activities were chosen to verify the hypothesis of an influence of the latter on the habitual activity pattern of the athletes. Results showed significant differences in the morningness-eveningness expressed preferences among athletes in agreement with their sport activity. Based on these findings a few suggestions for specific training activity programs are given.