Impact of seasons on an individual’s chronotype: current perspectives

Nyambura Shawa,1 Dale E Rae,2 Laura C Roden1 1Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; 2Health through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport Research Centre, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Tow...

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Autores principales: Shawa N, Rae DE, Roden LC
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Lenguaje:EN
Publicado: Dove Medical Press 2018
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Acceso en línea:https://doaj.org/article/754d378f29e0476fa6a05149b474e047
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spelling oai:doaj.org-article:754d378f29e0476fa6a05149b474e0472021-12-02T01:48:23ZImpact of seasons on an individual’s chronotype: current perspectives1179-1608https://doaj.org/article/754d378f29e0476fa6a05149b474e0472018-10-01T00:00:00Zhttps://www.dovepress.com/impact-of-seasons-on-an-individualrsquos-chronotype-current-perspectiv-peer-reviewed-article-NSShttps://doaj.org/toc/1179-1608Nyambura Shawa,1 Dale E Rae,2 Laura C Roden1 1Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; 2Health through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport Research Centre, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa Abstract: Diurnal preference, or chronotype, determined partly by genetics and modified by age, activity, and the environment, defines the time of day at which one feels at his/her best, when one feels sleepy, and when one would prefer to start his/her day. Chronotype affects the phase relationship of an individual’s circadian clock with the environment such that morning types have earlier-phased circadian rhythms than evening types. The phases of circadian rhythms are synchronized to the environment on a daily basis, undergoing minor adjustments of phase each day. Light is the most potent time cue for phase-shifting circadian rhythms, but the timing and amount of solar irradiation vary dynamically with season, especially with increasing distance from the equator. There is evidence that chronotype is modified by seasonal change, most likely due to the changes in the light environment, but interindividual differences in photoperiod responsiveness mean that some people are more affected than others. Differences in circadian light sensitivity due to endogenous biological reasons and/or previous light history are responsible for the natural variation in photoperiod responsiveness. Modern lifestyles that include access to artificial light at night, temperature-controlled environments, and spending much less time outdoors offer a buffer to the environmental changes of the seasons and may contribute to humans becoming less responsive to seasons. Keywords: diurnal preference, photoperiod, latitude, circadian photoreceptionShawa NRae DERoden LCDove Medical Pressarticlediurnal preferencephotoperiodlatitudecircadian photoreceptionPsychiatryRC435-571Neurophysiology and neuropsychologyQP351-495ENNature and Science of Sleep, Vol Volume 10, Pp 345-354 (2018)
institution DOAJ
collection DOAJ
language EN
topic diurnal preference
photoperiod
latitude
circadian photoreception
Psychiatry
RC435-571
Neurophysiology and neuropsychology
QP351-495
spellingShingle diurnal preference
photoperiod
latitude
circadian photoreception
Psychiatry
RC435-571
Neurophysiology and neuropsychology
QP351-495
Shawa N
Rae DE
Roden LC
Impact of seasons on an individual’s chronotype: current perspectives
description Nyambura Shawa,1 Dale E Rae,2 Laura C Roden1 1Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; 2Health through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport Research Centre, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa Abstract: Diurnal preference, or chronotype, determined partly by genetics and modified by age, activity, and the environment, defines the time of day at which one feels at his/her best, when one feels sleepy, and when one would prefer to start his/her day. Chronotype affects the phase relationship of an individual’s circadian clock with the environment such that morning types have earlier-phased circadian rhythms than evening types. The phases of circadian rhythms are synchronized to the environment on a daily basis, undergoing minor adjustments of phase each day. Light is the most potent time cue for phase-shifting circadian rhythms, but the timing and amount of solar irradiation vary dynamically with season, especially with increasing distance from the equator. There is evidence that chronotype is modified by seasonal change, most likely due to the changes in the light environment, but interindividual differences in photoperiod responsiveness mean that some people are more affected than others. Differences in circadian light sensitivity due to endogenous biological reasons and/or previous light history are responsible for the natural variation in photoperiod responsiveness. Modern lifestyles that include access to artificial light at night, temperature-controlled environments, and spending much less time outdoors offer a buffer to the environmental changes of the seasons and may contribute to humans becoming less responsive to seasons. Keywords: diurnal preference, photoperiod, latitude, circadian photoreception
format article
author Shawa N
Rae DE
Roden LC
author_facet Shawa N
Rae DE
Roden LC
author_sort Shawa N
title Impact of seasons on an individual’s chronotype: current perspectives
title_short Impact of seasons on an individual’s chronotype: current perspectives
title_full Impact of seasons on an individual’s chronotype: current perspectives
title_fullStr Impact of seasons on an individual’s chronotype: current perspectives
title_full_unstemmed Impact of seasons on an individual’s chronotype: current perspectives
title_sort impact of seasons on an individual’s chronotype: current perspectives
publisher Dove Medical Press
publishDate 2018
url https://doaj.org/article/754d378f29e0476fa6a05149b474e047
work_keys_str_mv AT shawan impactofseasonsonanindividualrsquoschronotypecurrentperspectives
AT raede impactofseasonsonanindividualrsquoschronotypecurrentperspectives
AT rodenlc impactofseasonsonanindividualrsquoschronotypecurrentperspectives
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