Due to the tight competition schedule, professional athletes may not only be exposed to the effects of jet lag, but may under certain circumstances even suffer from seasonal darkness. The consequences of lack of daylight and an adjustment of the sleep-awake cycle can significantly affect performance.
The Valkee research team devoted itself to this aspect in the framework of a study with Finnish Ice Hockey League players (team Oulun Kärpät) and published the results in an article in the journal validated by experts: 'Frontiers in Physiology' (1).
Daylight was administered via the ear canal and it was investigated how this treatment affects the cognitive performance of athletes. Over the course of three weeks, study participants received either a dose of daylight via the ear or a placebo treatment for 12 minutes each day. The average response time to certain warning signs was evaluated before and after the treatment. The average motor time was also measured.
The results showed a significant improvement in the motor time to respond to an optical warning signal. Previous results of an fMRI study already revealed increased brain activity in the resting state, if daylight was administered via the ear canal (2). As proven by this study, conventional daylight is able to improve cognitive performance - regardless of the melatonin levels and the time of day. The manufacturer of the Valkee daylight headset conducted a melatonin study and got the same result, which was published in the specialist journal Chronobiology International (3).
1) Tulppo M. P. et al, Effects of bright light treatment on psychomotor speed in athletes; Front. Physiol., 12 May 2014
2) Starck T. et al, Stimulating brain tissue with bright light alters functional connectivity in brain at the resting state;WJNS> Vol.2 No.2, May 2012
3) Jurvelin H. et al, Transcranial bright light exposure via ear canals does not suppress nocturnal melatonin in healthy adults - A single-blind, sham-controlled, crossover trial; Chronobiology International, August 2014, Vol. 31, No. 7, Pages 855-860
Improved efficiency thanks to light via the ear canal
Anyone can already subjectively feel the extent to which sun and natural light can positively affect people's moods. Research now shows that exposure to sunlight can improve cognitive performance and attention. A test with athletes to whom psychomotor speed is an important factor yielded a surprising result.
Published on 17.09. by Thomas Toernell
Our circadian rhythm is closely associated with lightMany signals of our body are based on our biological clock. This inner rhythm of ours controls the way we function during the day and explains why we wake up tired in the morning. Or why we lack the energy right after lunch and sleep best when it is dark outside.
Light therapyDo rainy days or the dark winter months leave you feeling a bit
gloomy? Try using a light therapy machine to add some natural light to
your life - revitalizing and reenergizing your mood.
Charger for Valkee light therapy device, CHF 19.00Charging via power outlet: For Valkee 1 & Valkee 2
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