Jet lag and air travel: implications for performance

Thomas Reilly; Jim Waterhouse; Ben Edwards

doi:10.1016/j.csm.2004.12.004

Jet lag and air travel: implications for performance

Clin Sports Med. 2005 Apr;24(2):367-80, xii. doi: 10.1016/j.csm.2004.12.004.

Authors

Thomas Reilly¹, Jim Waterhouse, Ben Edwards

Affiliation

¹ Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Henry Cotton Campus, 15-21 Webster Street, Liverpool L3 2ET, England. T.P.Reilly@livjm.ac.uk

PMID: 15892930
DOI: 10.1016/j.csm.2004.12.004

Abstract

This review focuses on travel stress in athletes. An outline of the circadian system is presented, followed by an explanation of how disturbances to its regulation are related to jet lag. There are consequences of jet lag that affect exercise performance and health. Measures to ameliorate adverse effects of jet lag include behavioral or pharmacologic strategies. Coaches and mentors and the athletes they support should be considered when preparing for long-haul flights across multiple meridians.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Aircraft
Caffeine / therapeutic use
Central Nervous System Stimulants / therapeutic use
Circadian Rhythm / physiology
Female
Humans
Hypnotics and Sedatives / therapeutic use
Jet Lag Syndrome / drug therapy
Jet Lag Syndrome / physiopathology*
Jet Lag Syndrome / prevention & control*
Male
Melatonin / therapeutic use
Phototherapy / methods
Psychomotor Performance / physiology*
Sports / physiology*
Sports Medicine / methods
Travel

Substances

Central Nervous System Stimulants
Hypnotics and Sedatives
Caffeine
Melatonin