Circannual rhythms of physical fitness and tolerance of hypoxic hypoxia.

Presence of a circannual rhythm of physical fitness and tolerance of hypoxia was demonstrated. The rhythm of physical fitness had two peaks, in April and September. Using cosinor analysis the acrophase of the circannual rhythm was found to be on Aug. 10 with a 95% confidence limit (May 30-October 16), and the amplitude of the rhythm was 1.6 ml O2/kg/min with a 95% confidence limit (0.22-2.96 ml/kg/min). The circannual rhythm of hypoxia tolerance showed a similar pattern of changes. The maximum value of this rhythm was observed also in April and in autumn, its acrophase was calculated to occur on Aug. 26 with a 95% confidence limit (May 10-October 2), and its amplitude was 33.4 sec with a 95% confidence limit (10.4-56.4 sec.). An analysis of the results of physical fitness tests carried out in training camps confirmed these circannual fluctuations of physical fitness.