A new study reveals the importance of circadian rhythms or sleeping habits when it comes to athletic performance.

It suggests that when people consider themselves early risers or nocturnal creatures, there's a high probability they can perform better during the day if they stick to their preferred time of waking up, even if it's night or day.

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If you think you're the late riser, then chances are your performance will peak in the evening, according to study co-author Roland Brandstaetter of the University of Birmingham. If you're the early type, however, your performance will be better in the morning.

For example, if the morning person runs a marathon in the morning, he or she will achieve close to optimal performance but when a late riser does it, his performance won't be as advantageous.

Brandstaetter said a one percent difference in performance can be extremely pivotal in finishing either in 1st place or 4th place during a 100 meter race at the Olympics. When athletes stick to their sleep habits and work at their preferred time of day or night, this one percent can even be boosted to 26 percent.

Study co-author Elise Facer-Childs said everybody wants to perform at their best but the challenge is how to achieve it the right way. She suggests athletes and even those who are amateurs can shift their attention to their biological clocks instead of just sticking to the typical nine to five hour work period.

Researchers also claim that apart from sheer will and determination of an athlete to achieve his best performance, the effect of the circadian phenotype or the sleeping habits is essential in the evaluation of performance since the time of awakening.

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