EFFECTS OF CIRCADIAN RHYTHM ON BALANCE PERFORMANCE

Introduction. The aim of the study was to examine the effect of circadian rhythm on dynamic balance performance and to determine the role of physical activity level, body temperature, chronotype, and gender in this possible effect. Material and

methods. Forty-two young male and female subjects with different physical activity levels participated in the study. A dynamic equilibrium test, a Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), was conducted at 9:00, 13:00, and 17:00 on three different days with at least two days of interval between tests. The test scores were calculated by dividing the reaching distances by the leg length and multiplying the quotient by 100. The physical activity level and sleep state were evaluated using questionnaires. Before each test, body temperatures were measured orally. Results. The best SEBT scores were found at 13:00 and 17:00 in the male group and in the trained group. The body temperature changes increased parallel to SEBT scores. The scores for the non-dominant leg were found to be significantly different in posterior test directions, and those for the dominant leg were different in anterior directions. Chronotype did not affect the test results. Conclusions. Circadian rhythm was found to have an effect on dynamic balance performance. Body temperature, gender, and physical activity level were also found to play a role in this effect.