The Matt Walker Podcast

#95 - Circadian Rhythms, Travel, and Athlete Optimization with Dr. Cheri Mah

33 snips
Apr 7, 2025
Dr. Cheri Mah, a leading sleep scientist from Stanford and advisor to elite athletes, dives into how circadian rhythms influence peak athletic performance. She explains that training aligned with natural rhythms can enhance results, revealing shocking discoveries about NFL team performance based on time zone advantages. Dr. Mah shares effective jet lag strategies and the importance of sleep management for athletes, emphasizing that these insights can help anyone looking to boost their physical and mental performance.
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INSIGHT

Circadian Rhythms and Athletic Performance

  • Circadian rhythms, 24-hour cycles, govern bodily functions like sleep, hormones, and temperature.
  • Peak physical capacity often occurs between 4-8 pm, a key window for athletes.
ANECDOTE

Katie Ledecky's Olympic Schedule

  • Dr. Mah worked with Katie Ledecky, adjusting her training for the Olympics due to the unusual morning finals.
  • This demonstrates how critical circadian alignment is for peak performance, even requiring unique strategies.
INSIGHT

Chronotype vs. Circadian Rhythm

  • Chronotype explains individual differences in peak performance times, not the rhythm itself.
  • While everyone has a circadian rhythm, chronotype determines where an individual's peak and trough fall on the 24-hour clock.
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