Daily rhythm changes associated with variations in light intensity and color.

Asynchronosis with its symptoms of fatigue, confusion, and discomfort is perhaps the most frequently experienced problem of jet travel; and without synchronization it will represent a major problem with supersonic and interplanetary travel. Current observations suggest that light is the most important environmental factor for the regulation of daily rhythms. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to quantitatively evaluate daily rhythm changes associated with changes in light intensity at given wavelengths of light. Biological rhythm data of birds have been useful for the interpretation of data collected on man. Two normal chickens were used to study three daily physiological rhythms in a controlled environment for approximately 80 days. Variables included the light intensity and wavelength. Heart rate, deep body temperature, and activity were recorded at 6 min intervals. The first two measurements were received from miniature radio transmitters and the third directly from the cage floor. The presence of the cycles was established by periodogram and correlogram analysis. The data were described further by harmonic regression analysis and cross correlations between the three daily rhythms. The physiologic systems studied are arrhythmic in continuous red light. There was no change observed in the periods of the daily rhythms with an increase in light intensity. Deep body temperature oscillations were greater at the higher light intensities and appeared to dissociate from heart rate. Activity and heart rate have a high degree of correlation even at the higher intensities.