Diurnal variations in the mood and performance of highly practised young women living under strictly controlled conditions

Author(s): Macdonald, I., Tucker, P., Sytnik, N., Totterdell, P., Minors, D., Waterhouse, J., Folkard, S.

Journal/Book: Brit J Psychol. 2000; 91: St Andrews House, 48 Princess Rd East, Leicester Le1 7Dr, Leics, England. British Psychological Soc. 41-60.

Abstract: The diurnal variation in a range of psychological functions and core body temperature were investigated in a series of studies involving a total of 24 highly practised young women who lived in a controlled environment and on a strictly regimented 24-hour routine for 6 or 7 days. Ten participants were exposed to the natural light/dark cycle (L/Dc) through windows, whereas the 14 remaining participants saw no daylight, but all had access to normal clock time. A battery of mood and performance tests was completed every 2 hours whilst awake (08:00-00:00), resulting in nine equally spaced measures per waking day. Average time of day (ToD) functions were calculated from the last 5 or 6 days spent in the controlled environment. Significant Too effects were found for many of the variables taken although the nature of these effects differed across measures, with a 'post-lunch dip' being observed at 16:00 in some variables. Analysis of the standardized data established that all variables presented reliably different ToD functions to core body temperature, whilst factor analyses indicated possible relationships between the variables. It was concluded that those variables that exhibited diurnal variation showed trends that did not parallel those in core body temperature.

Note: Article Folkard S, Univ Wales Swansea, Body Rhythms & Shiftwork Ctr, Dept Psychol, Singleton Pk, Swansea SA2 8PP, W Glam, WALES

Keyword(s): CIRCADIAN-RHYTHMS; INDIVIDUAL-DIFFERENCES; COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE; SUBJECTIVE ALERTNESS; BODY-TEMPERATURE; MEMORY

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