Determine the Timing of the Circadian Rhythm in Physical Training and Motor Imagery on Learning Tennis on Table Forehand in Individuals with Different Circadian

Circadian rhythm and motor imagery according to the rhythm are one of the factors that appears in learning motor skills. The aim of present study is determining the timing of the circadian rhythm in physical training and motor imagery on learning tennis on table forehand in individuals with different circadian. This study was of type semi-experimental and done by pretest and posttest. For this purpose, selected 40 novice participants, right –handed, their average age was 22±3/21. Individuals selected in order to standard scales this study and circadian types. They randomly assigned for four groups. The first group (morningness) performed just physical training and group second (morningness) had combination practice (motor imagery and physical training). Both of them practiced in the morning. The third group (eveningness) performed just physical training and the fourth group had combination practice (motor imagery + physical training). Both of them practiced in the afternoon. The groups had five sessions for training on skill after pretest. The final they evaluated with retention test in the morning and afternoon. The data in acquisition phase analyzed of variance with repeated measures 4 (experimental group) × 5 (number of training sessions) and the retention of tow-way variance 2 (circadian rhythm: practice in the morning and afternoon) ×2 (type of exercise: combination and just physical training). The results showed that individual ‘s performance was better during the acquisition phase than the other session in the fourth and fifth sessions. Examination of averages showed the weakest performance in physical training group (morningness) and the best performance in combination group (eveningness) (p<0.001). Morningness individual better than the eveningness individual in the first retention test (retention test in the morning) (P<0.001). Results in the second retention test (retention in the afternoon) showed better performance for eveningness individual, also combination group (eveningness) had better performance in the second retention and combination group (morningness) had weakest performance (P<0.001). The results showed the motor imagery and physical training on learning motor skill is influenced by individual’s circadian rhythm and their practice timing in the morning or afternoon, so we can use of suitable timing according circadian rhythm as important factor in improving the performance of motor skills.