Reducing the impact of time zone changes on disturbed sleep and game performance – University of Tasmania, Victorian Institute of Sport and Victoria University.- Whelan, G., Kitic, C., Karageorgiou, J., Bahnisch, J., Pitchford, N., & Fell, J. (2016)

Objective

This study aimed to re-adjust the body clock prior to a westward time zone change to maintain physical and cognitive performance of athletes (hockey players).

Conclusion

The use of a pre-flight adjustment schedule with bright light therapy can assist in maintaining jump performance and skill execution upon arrival in the new time zone; whereas, solely adjusting the sleep schedule was not as effective in minimising fatigue from jet lag in the first two days of arrival. Data suggest the bright light group was ready to perform following arrival on D1 (day 1); however, the control group were only prepared on D3 (day 3).