Enormous effort is dedicated to optimizing elite athletes’ performance, including complex training schedules, detailed nutritional plans, and an emphasis on psychological health and mental well-being. However, an important factor often neglected is the impact of the internal circadian clock on performance, and whether this natural circadian peak in performance aligns with game time.

The circadian clock in our brain generates near-24-hour rhythms that regulate many aspects of physiology, metabolism, and behavior, including sleep-wake cycles, alertness, performance, mood patterns, and various metabolic processes. This internal clock differs between individuals, as demonstrated by the degree to which one is a “morning type” or “evening type,” or how one adapts to eastward or westward travel. It has long been understood that many physiological factors relevant to sports performance exhibit daily rhythms or are sensitive to sleep loss (1-2). Examples include daily fluctuations in muscle strength, shot accuracy, and anaerobic performance, as well as circadian influences on cardiac and lung function, metabolism, and appetite. The impact of the circadian clock on performance has been demonstrated across various sports, including soccer, swimming, professional and college basketball, and professional baseball and football. Multiple studies highlight the effects of travel direction, game time, and circadian rhythms on race times, technical skills, and winning percentages (3-14).

The effects of the circadian clock on performance are well documented and result from a misalignment between the natural circadian rhythm in peak performance and scheduled match times. This misalignment can occur due to travel across time zones, causing jet lag, or scheduling team activities (e.g., training, meetings, and sleep) in ways that conflict with natural circadian rhythms. While jet lag from time zone travel is one issue, a greater challenge lies in variations in game start times, which can cause significant misalignment even without travel. Each hour of game time change is equivalent to traveling to a different time zone, even without leaving the area. The negative effects of changes in time zone and game time (often both simultaneously, compounding the issue) are most apparent during away games.

The key to addressing the circadian factors in sports performance lies in resetting players’ circadian rhythms to align with game start times, especially for away games (even within the same time zone). Based on core body temperature rhythms, performance typically peaks around 5 p.m., although individual differences (chronotypes) influence this.

The primary goal of Timeshifter’s concierge service is to shift players’ circadian clocks throughout the season to align more closely with game times, particularly for away games. While there are limitations, such as inflexible schedules, we propose day-to-day adjustments to enhance general circadian adaptation. These include revising training and meeting times, as well as game-specific changes, such as light exposure schedules, sleep strategies during travel, and adjustments to game-day routines.