Influence of circadian rhythm on the physical and mental performance

Abstract

This thesis studied the temperature circadian rhythm and its relationship with the physical and mental performance of the individuals. The objectives of this study were to determine (1) the effect of temperature circadian rhythm on the mental and physical performance, (2) whether a common oral temperature circadian rhythm pattern exists for all the participants, (3) the times of the day when the participants perform their best and worst in comparison to their highest and lowest temperatures respectively, (4) find out whether the effect of the oral temperature circadian rhythm on the physical and mental performance is different in males and females, and (5) the effect of lunar cycle on the physical and mental performance. In order to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, ten participants (5males and 5 females between the ages of 20-28 years) were tested. Each participant was required to record his/her body temperature every hour over a 13-hour period for about a week. Based on this data, the participants' highest and lowest temperatures were determined. Each participant was given a physical and a mental performance test at the times corresponding to his/her highest and lowest temperatures. Finally, the lunar calendar was used to test the effect of the lunar cycle on the physical and mental performance of the participants. The results of the experiment show that during the time corresponding to high oral temperatures, the participants' physical performance increased by 9.3 percent, and the mental performance increased by 4.6 percent compared to their low temperatures. The participants, upon analysis of the data, also exhibited a common pattern in their temperature circadian rhythms. The results showed that on average, the participants' body temperature started increasing around 9:30am and kept increasing until 8:30pm. In addition to that, it was also found out that there was an insignificant difference in the average physical performance increase in males (9.38lbs) and females (9.39lbs); however, mental performance increased by a greater percentage, in females (5.2) as compared to males (4.07). Finally, the lunar cycle had no effect on the physical and mental performance of the participants.