Reduced Team Sport Performance up to Four Days Following Long-Haul Transmeridian Air Travel

Peter Fowler Ph.D.

Research Scientist (Performance Recovery)

Athlete Health and Performance Research Centre

Duffield, R., Crowcroft, S., Mendham, A., Halson, S., Vaile, J., Knez, W.

INTRODUCTION 1. Long-haul travel is a frequent necessity for football players

INTRODUCTION 2. Detrimental effects of long-haul travel on performance

Disruption of

Circadian Rhythms

(Jet-Lag)

Demands of Travel

(Travel Fatigue)

Sleep Disruption

Beaumont et al. 2004

Takahashi et al. 2002

↑ fatigue + ↓ mood

Waterhouse et al. 2002

Skein et al. 2011

Illness

Schwellnus et al. 2002

↓ Physical performance

Chapman et al. 2012

Reilly et al. 2001

INTRODUCTION 2. Detrimental effects of long-haul travel on performance

Reilly et al. 2001

INTRODUCTION

3. Recovery timeline of team-sport performance?

INTRODUCTION 3. Recovery timeline of team-sport performance?

INTRODUCTION 3. Recovery timeline of team-sport performance?

2093 (2076-2110) m

AIM Effects of eastward long-haul transmeridian air travel on the

recovery timeline of physical performance for team sports.

METHODS Participants

19, healthy, physically active males

Mean ± SD

Age (y) 21.9 ± 3.6

Height (cm) 178.2 ± 6.5

Body mass (kg) 77.12 ± 7.68

YYIR1 (Level) 17.5 ± 1.4

MEQ 52 ± 8 (intermediate)

7 d

ay w

as

ho

ut

4 d

ay w

as

ho

ut

METHODS Experimental Design

21 h

WEST

8 time-zones

21 h

EAST

8 time-zones

Baseline

METHODS Experimental Procedures

1. CMJ

2. 20 m sprint

3. Agility

4. YYIR1

Statistical Analysis

• Data are presented as mean (95% CI).

• One-way ANOVA - absolute change from baseline.

• Significant effect (P<0.05) - Tukey’s post-hoc analysis performed.

• Standardised effect size (Cohen d) analysis - interpret magnitude

of differences.

RESULTS

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RESULTS

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RESULTS

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RESULTS

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RESULTS

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DISCUSSION

Physical performance specific to football reduced up

to 4 days following 21 h eastward air travel across

8 time-zones.

1. Why?

2. So what?

↓-2.5 (-3.6, -1.4)*

↑7.8 (7.0 - 8.6)*

DISCUSSION

Physical Feeling

0.8 (-0.2 - 2.4)

sRPE

5.9 (4.7 - 7.1)

Disruption of

Circadian Rhythms

(Jet-Lag)

Demands of Travel

(Travel Fatigue)

Sleep Disruption

Beaumont et al. 2004

Takahashi et al. 2002

↑ fatigue + ↓ mood

Waterhouse et al. 2002

Skein et al. 2011

Illness

Schwellnus et al. 2002

↓ Physical performance

Chapman et al. 2012

Reilly et al. 2001

DISCUSSION

DISCUSSION

Kline et al. 2007

Disruption of

Circadian Rhythms

(Jet-Lag)

Demands of Travel

(Travel Fatigue)

Sleep Disruption

Beaumont et al. 2004

Takahashi et al. 2002

↑ fatigue + ↓ mood

Waterhouse et al. 2002

Skein et al. 2011

Illness

Schwellnus et al. 2002

↓ Physical performance

Chapman et al. 2012

Reilly et al. 2001

DISCUSSION

DISCUSSION

DISCUSSION

CONCLUSION

• Physical performance specific to football reduced up

to 4 days following 21 h eastward air travel across

8 time-zones.

• Preliminary results suggest could be due to

reduced tolerance/motivation during exercise.

• Which, in turn may be a result of circadian rhythm

and/or sleep disruption.

FUTURE RESEARCH

• Elite team sport athletes as participants.

• Sport/training specific performance measures.

• Longitudinal post-travel recovery timeline.

Travel Performance Sub-max HR Actigraphy

Jet-lag & Perceptual Urine Light Exposure

7 d

ay w

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4 d

ay w

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Blood Saliva Sleep Hygiene

Cognitive

Function