Introduction: The existing literature confirms that TOD significantly influences short-term maximal performance (Bougrine et al., 2022a; Bougrine, Salem, et al., 2023), and that music offers promising benefits (Chtourou et al., 2017; Eliakim et al., 2007). However, studies integrating both variables remain scarce, especially among female athletes' populations. This study examined how self-selected music during warm-up influences time-of-day (TOD) effects on short-term maximal performance in female handball players.

Methods: Eighteen female athletes (age: 16.16 ± 0.38 years) completed eight randomized sessions under two warm up conditions: with (Yes-MUS) or without (No-MUS) listening to self-selected motivational music, at four distinct times of day (08:00, 11:00, 15:00, and 18:00). A minimum recovery period of 48 hours was provided between sessions. During each session, oral temperature (OT), countermovement jump (CMJ), medicine ball throw (MBT), 20-meter sprint (20m-ST), and Illinois agility test (IAT) were recorded.

Results: The findings indicated that OT and all physical performances improved from 08 :00h to 18:00h (all p < 0.001). The amplitude of diurnal variation was attenuated in the Yes-MUS condition for CMJ (5.7% vs. 2.3%), MBT (13% vs. 6.6%), 20m-ST (5.9% vs. 3.3%), and IAT (7.1% vs. 4.7%) compared to No-MUS. Likewise, OT variation remained unchanged across conditions (both 3.2%). Compared to No-MUS condition, performance improvements under the Yes-MUS were significant at all times : 08:00 (all p < 0.001), 11:00 (CMJ, MBT: p < 0.01; 20m-ST, IAT: p < 0.001), 15:00 (CMJ : p < 0.01, MBT : p < 0.05, 20m-ST : p < 0.001, IAT : p < 0.001), and 18:00 (CMJ : p < 0.05, MBT : ns, 20m-ST : p < 0.05, IAT : p < 0.01).

Discussion :

In line with the current findings, several investigations have demonstrated that the peak anaerobic performances were observed in the afternoon between 16:00h and 18:00h (Bougrine et al., 2022b; Bougrine, Nasser, et al., 2023) compared to morning among female team sports athletes. Furthermore, these results are consistent with earlier findings that suggest listening to music during warm-up can help minimize diurnal fluctuations in physiological performance (Chtourou et al., 2012).

Conclusion: These findings suggest that self-selected motivational music during warm-up blunts diurnal performance variations and enhances anaerobic capacity in female athletes, particularly during suboptimal morning hours. Listening to music during warm-up may be an effective strategy to counteract diurnal declines in performance and optimize training outcomes among female athletes.

References

Bougrine, H., Cherif, M., Chtourou, H., & Souissi, N. (2022a). Can caffeine supplementation reverse the impact of time of day on cognitive and short-term high intensity performances in young female handball players? Chronobiology International, 39(8), 1144–1155. https://doi.org/10.1080/07420528.2022.2077747

Bougrine, H., Cherif, M., Chtourou, H., & Souissi, N. (2022b). Can caffeine supplementation reverse the impact of time of day on cognitive and short-term high intensity performances in young female handball players? Chronobiology International, 39(8), 1144–1155. https://doi.org/10.1080/07420528.2022.2077747

Bougrine, H., Nasser, N., Abdessalem, R., Ammar, A., Chtourou, H., & Souissi, N. (2023). Pre-Exercise Caffeine Intake Attenuates the Negative Effects of Ramadan Fasting on Several Aspects of High-Intensity Short-Term Maximal Performances in Adolescent Female Handball Players. Nutrients, 15(15), 3432. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15153432

Bougrine, H., Salem, A., Nasser, N., Ammar, A., Chtourou, H., & Souissi, N. (2023). Ramadan Fasting and Short-Term Maximal Physical Performance: Searching for Optimal Timing of the Last Meal “Suhoor” in Female Pre-University Handball Players. European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education, 13(10), 2160–2178. https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe13100152

Chtourou, H., Chaouachi, A., Hammouda, O., Chamari, K., & Souissi, N. (2012). Listening to Music Affects Diurnal Variation in Muscle Power Output. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 33(01), 43–47. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0031-1284398

Chtourou, H., Hmida, C., & Souissi, N. (2017). Effect of music on short-term maximal performance: Sprinters vs. long distance runners. Sport Sciences for Health, 13(1), 213–216. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-017-0357-6

Eliakim, M., Meckel, Y., Nemet, D., & Eliakim, A. (2007). The effect of music during warm-up on consecutive anaerobic performance in elite adolescent volleyball players. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 28(4), 321–325. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-924360