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MattTuck
09-27-2012, 09:08 AM
WSJ Article.

When choosing a time of day to exercise, paying attention to your body clock can also improve results. Physical performance is usually best, and the risk of injury least, from about 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., says Michael Smolensky, an adjunct professor of biomedical engineering at the University of Texas, Austin, and lead author with Lynne Lamberg of "The Body Clock Guide to Better Health."

Muscle strength tends to peak between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at levels as much as 6% above the day's lows, improving your ability to grip a club or racquet. Another boost for physical strength comes from the lungs, which function 17.6% more efficiently at 5 p.m. than at midday, according to a study of 4,756 patients led by Boris Medarov, an assistant professor of medicine at Albany Medical College in New York.

Eye-hand coordination is best in late afternoon, making that a good time for racquetball or Frisbee. And joints and muscles are as much as 20% more flexible in the evening, lowering the risk of injury, Dr. Smolensky says.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444180004578018294057070544.html?m od=WSJ_hp_mostpop_read#project%3DWORKFAM0926%26art icleTabs%3Dinteractive

tiretrax
09-27-2012, 10:50 AM
Interesting. I guess I need to quit riding in the a.m. even though that's when it fits my schedule.

Hindmost
09-27-2012, 11:44 AM
The article was interesting.

I can recall getting off of work at 5:00pm and feeling generally tired. Then going to the evening twilight races and really perking up for a couple of hours.

tannhauser
09-27-2012, 07:09 PM
Where's the best time to watch tv story?

67-59
09-27-2012, 07:44 PM
I actually do find that I perform better (faster average mph, don't feel as tired) when I go in the afternoon. Unfortunately, early mornings fit my schedule best, so that's when I usually get out....

rbtmcardle
09-27-2012, 09:52 PM
Sucks for me... If I don't get up and ride (or work out in any manner) first thing in the morning.. It doesn't happen.. Just too many responsibilities that I let get in the way, or just take care of because that's what responsible people do.

monkeybanana86
09-28-2012, 12:30 AM
This is interesting and makes sense. The problem for city folks is that too many peds and cars are out during that time :(

rugbysecondrow
09-28-2012, 05:51 AM
1-3 pm is when I normally workout, specifically gym and strength work. Bike and running work is normally in the AM or at the bookends of the day.

I don't notice effects for cardio type of work, but lifting and intense strength training I can tell a difference. When I travel I often find myself at some crappy hotel gym at 6-7am. my body is just not feeling it and I am a morning person. This normally is OK since hotel gyms don't often have weights greater than 45lbs, so I make it work.