Analyzing Activity and Sleep Patterns to Better Understand Individual Circadian Rhythms
Location
SU-216
Start Date
1-5-2026 9:40 AM
Department
Biology
Abstract
Understanding biological clocks and their impact on human brain activity has broad implications for workplace functioning and academic performance. Molecular and neural clocks synchronize internal biological processes with environmental cues to optimize performance and survival. To investigate circadian rhythms and physical activity patterns, AX3 activity trackers, designed to capture high-resolution physical rest-activity data, were worn continuously for a period of 14 consecutive days. This method provides an objective, longitudinal map of biological rhythms. Following the two-week monitoring period, raw acceleration data was processed and analyzed to derive key circadian parameters using actigraphy, a powerful tool for studying the circadian system because it allows researchers to observe and quantify the rest-activity cycle which is a behavioral manifestation of internal biological clocks. Examples of individual circadian distinctness (the strength and stability of the rhythm), phase (the timing of activity onset), and the individual’s chronotype (determined by the midpoint of sleep or activity peaks on non-constrained days) will be discussed. Independently assessing an individual’s chronotype provides an opportunity to adjust habits regarding hours of activity during the day and sleep schedules with the possibility of improving future educational and health outcomes.
Faculty Sponsor
Cindy Voisine
Faculty Sponsor
Aaron Schirmer
Analyzing Activity and Sleep Patterns to Better Understand Individual Circadian Rhythms
SU-216
Understanding biological clocks and their impact on human brain activity has broad implications for workplace functioning and academic performance. Molecular and neural clocks synchronize internal biological processes with environmental cues to optimize performance and survival. To investigate circadian rhythms and physical activity patterns, AX3 activity trackers, designed to capture high-resolution physical rest-activity data, were worn continuously for a period of 14 consecutive days. This method provides an objective, longitudinal map of biological rhythms. Following the two-week monitoring period, raw acceleration data was processed and analyzed to derive key circadian parameters using actigraphy, a powerful tool for studying the circadian system because it allows researchers to observe and quantify the rest-activity cycle which is a behavioral manifestation of internal biological clocks. Examples of individual circadian distinctness (the strength and stability of the rhythm), phase (the timing of activity onset), and the individual’s chronotype (determined by the midpoint of sleep or activity peaks on non-constrained days) will be discussed. Independently assessing an individual’s chronotype provides an opportunity to adjust habits regarding hours of activity during the day and sleep schedules with the possibility of improving future educational and health outcomes.