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Travel fatigue and jet-lag
T Reilly1, G Atkinson, J Waterhouse
1Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences, School of Human Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, UK.
Journal of Sports Sciences
|June 1, 1997
Summary
International athletes experience jet-lag due to time zone travel, disrupting circadian rhythms and impairing exercise performance. Strategies exist to aid resynchronization, which sports administrators should consider when planning travel schedules.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Chronobiology
- Human Physiology
Background:
- International sports competition frequently involves extensive travel across multiple time zones.
- Such travel disrupts the body's natural circadian timing mechanisms, leading to jet-lag.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the impact of jet-lag on exercise performance in international athletes.
- To review strategies for mitigating jet-lag and accelerating circadian rhythm resynchronization.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on circadian rhythms, jet-lag, and athletic performance.
- Analysis of behavioral and pharmacological interventions for circadian adjustment.
Main Results:
- Jet-lag symptoms persist until circadian rhythms adapt to the new local time.
- Exercise performance can be significantly impaired during the adjustment period.
- Behavioral and pharmacological strategies can accelerate resynchronization.
Conclusions:
- Sports administrators must account for jet-lag and recovery time in international athlete travel planning.
- Proactive management of jet-lag is crucial for optimizing athletic performance in international competitions.