355. Four factors that affect your morning alertness
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley have identified four factors that affect how alert you feel in the morning. In a new study published in the journal Nature Communications, the researchers analyzed data on a variety of lifestyle factors from 833 adults. Not surprisingly, those who slept longer than usual or woke up later than their usual time showed higher levels of alertness the next morning. Also, those who consumed a high carbohydrate breakfast and those who showed a lower blood glycemic load after breakfast had greater morning alertness. Finally, increased physical activity during the 10 most active hours of the previous day led to more morning alertness the next day. However, physical activity at night was associated with lower morning alertness.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
