Research Post #7

Reset Your Body Clock and Morning Workouts vs. Afternoon Workouts articles talk about the differences in working out in the morning compared to the afternoon.  Both of these articles were brought to my attention by my classmate, Marci. 

Reset You Body Clock was very interesting because it talked about our internal clocks, which are determined by our genes, as being a main reason why some of us are early birds and others are night owls.  Our internal clocks also help regulate our hormone levels, body temperature, blood pressure, alertness and performance ability.   

This article gives some recommendations on how to start to change your internal clock.  For example, the more day light you see when you first get up helps the brain register that it is time to wake up.  A short walk outdoors, eating breakfast and drinking strong coffee are other recommendations.  

These suggestions need to be balanced with going to bed earlier.  Also, it is recommended to avoid heavy meals, limit alcohol and avoid caffeine right before bed. 

Morning Workouts vs. Afternoon Workouts was also interesting in that it talks about the advantages of being a morning person regarding exercising.  There are psychological effects that improve one’s mood after working out in the morning – a sense of “ready to take on the day” effect.  Another advantage to working out in the morning is to help jump start your metabolism for the day.  

The article also gives a few disadvantages to working out in the morning.  If you are not a morning person, it can be difficult to get as intense of a workout as you would in the afternoon due to being tired.  Another downfall to morning workouts is that your body may not be warmed up as it would be in the afternoon leading to a possible injury.   

The article claims there is no right or wrong time to work out and that it depends on personal preference which ties into the Reset Your Body Clock article.

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