Interindividual differences in circadian patterns of catecholamine excretion, body temperature, performance, and subjective arousal.

Interindividual differences in circadian rhythms of urinary catecholamine excretion, performance, self-ratings of arousal and oral temperature were studied in 80 subjects divided into three groups--morning-active, evening-active, and intermediate. Catecholamine excretion, body temperature, and self-ratings of arousal exhibited pronounced circadian variations. Morning-active subjects exceeded other groups in the 24 h level of adrenaline excretion but crest phases did not differ, occurring close to 13.00 h. No differences between groups were found for noradrenaline excretion. Crest phases occurred close to noon. Self-rated alertness exhibited a significantly earlier (14.12 h) crest phase for morning-active than for evening-active subjects (16.09 h). The performance did not differ between groups.