Effects of three types of chronobiotics on anaerobic performances and their diurnal variations

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of three types of chronobiotics on anaerobic performances and their diurnal fluctuations. Twelve physical education students have performed the vertical jump (i.e. squat jump (SJ) and counter movement jump (CMJ)) and the Wingate tests during three consecutive days. They have taken one of three types of sleeping pills (i.e. promethazine (PRO), diazepam (DZP), or phenobarbital (PHE)) or a placebo (PLA) for three successive nights. For each medication, subjects performed four test sessions as follows: at 08:00 h following the first two nights and at 08:00 h and at 17:00 h after the last night. Anaerobic performances during the SJ, CMJ, and the Wingate test were significantly lower after the PRO, DZP, and PHE protocols than PLA at 08:00 h test sessions. However, negative effect of these hypnotics was significantly lower during the PRO test sessions. In addition, the results showed that the three medications have no effect on the diurnal rhythm of short-term maximal performances. In conclusion, PRO may be the appropriate solution for athletes in facing a sleep deprivation induced by anxiety or stress during competition or transmeridian flights by amending the sleep–wake cycle disorders.