Whether changes in the training schedule are capable of modifying the
daily pattern of performance has been studies. Twelve swimmers were se
lected to determine their performance in 25 meter crawl races. Their b
ody temperature was also measured. This group was subsequently divided
into 3 subgroups: Sub-group 1, made up of 2 subjects who acted as the
control subgroup, trained only in the afternoon; Subgroup 2, composed
of 5 subjects, trained only in the morning; and Subgroup 3, also made
up of 5 subjects, trained in the afternoon but with an additional ses
sion of 10 min of swimming in the morning. All subjects followed their
corresponding training pattern for three weeks after which they were
subjected to a second study or testing day. Thereafter, they all train
ed one more week according to the same habitual schedule in the evenin
g; after that, they were tested again. A significant variance in the p
erformance time was observed throughout the day (a maximum performance
being observed at around 20:30 h), although the changes introduced in
the training schedule did not modify the curve of performance.