Effects of Illumination Color on Autonomic Response to Exercise

Blue light rich in melanopsin-stimulating component is known to induce cardiac parasympathetic suppression and psychomotor arousal while other colors of illumination show no such effects. This study examined the effects of blue light rich illumination on autonomic response to exercise. Hear rate recovery responses after ergometer exercise under blue and amber illumination were compared in healthy subjects. The time required for heart rate to return to 50% of the increase due to exercise was longer under blue light than amber light. Blue light rich illumination may delay recovery of cardiac function after exercise.