How the Body’s Internal Clock May Affect Exercise Performance

Circadian clocks regulate daily patterns of gene expression that may influence exercise performance.

• Circadian clocks are found in all cells and control a daily cycle of gene activity.
• Exercise performance varies throughout the day, suggesting a link between time-of-day and physical capability.
• Initial studies in humans and animals highlight the effects of exercise timing on muscle function.
• The circadian clock in skeletal muscle influences specific metabolic and physiological responses that change over a 24-hour period.
• Timing of exercise may interact with the skeletal muscle circadian clock, potentially adjusting its phase and impacting performance and health.

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