The effects of air travel on performance measures of elite Australian rugby league players

McGuckin, Teneale; Sinclair, Wade H.; Sealey, Rebecca; Bowman, Paul

doi:10.1080/17461391.2011.654270

Cited by 28 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Previous research suggests that conditions during air travel, particularly the prolonged exposure to mild hypoxia and cramped conditions, may temporarily augment perceptual fatigue 12,20,25 . Whilst this should not be discounted in the present study, results indicate that the aforementioned sleep disruption may have had a greater impact on perceptual responses and masked any temporary travel fatigue.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Northbound Long-Haul International Air Travel on Sleep Quantity and Subjective Jet Lag and Wellness in Professional Australian Soccer Players

Fowler¹,

Duffield²,

Howle³

et al. 2015

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance

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The current study examined the effects of 10-h northbound air travel across 1 time zone on sleep quantity, together with subjective jet lag and wellness ratings, in 16 male professional Australian football (soccer) players. Player wellness was measured throughout the week before (home training week) and the week of (away travel week) travel from Australia to Japan for a preseason tour. Sleep quantity and subjective jet lag were measured 2 d before (Pre 1 and 2), the day of, and for 5 d after travel (Post 1-5). Sleep duration was significantly reduced during the night before travel (Pre 1; 4.9 [4.2-5.6] h) and night of competition (Post 2; 4.2 [3.7-4.7] h) compared with every other night (P<.01, d>0.90). Moreover, compared with the day before travel, subjective jet lag was significantly greater for the 5 d after travel (P<.05, d>0.90), and player wellness was significantly lower 1 d post-match (Post 3) than at all other time points (P<.05, d>0.90). Results from the current study suggest that sleep disruption, as a result of an early travel departure time (8 PM) and evening match (7:30 PM), and fatigue induced by competition had a greater effect on wellness ratings than long-haul air travel with a minimal time-zone change. Furthermore, subjective jet lag may have been misinterpreted as fatigue from sleep disruption and competition, especially by the less experienced players. Therefore, northbound air travel across 1 time zone from Australia to Asia appears to have negligible effects on player preparedness for subsequent training and competition.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Northbound Long-Haul International Air Travel on Sleep Quantity and Subjective Jet Lag and Wellness in Professional Australian Soccer Players

Fowler¹,

Duffield²,

Howle³

et al. 2015

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance

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“…Moreover, no change in CMJ or intermittent‐sprint performance was identified following simulated DOM travel. To date, only one other investigation has reported the effects of domestic air travel on physical performance, highlighting no change in handgrip strength or leg power (McGuckin et al., ). However, given the limited information available, further research is required to confirm this.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Reduced physical performance (Reilly et al., ; Lemmer et al., ; Chapman et al., ), adverse changes in physiological variables, including sleep (Lemmer et al., ; Beaumont et al., ; Bullock et al., ), and exacerbated mood states, such as increased subjective fatigue (Reilly et al., ; Waterhouse et al., ) have been reported following international transmeridian air travel. Conversely, negligible effects of domestic air travel have been identified on these variables (Richmond et al., ; McGuckin et al., ). However, as yet, the integration of performance, physiological, and perceptual measures related to intermittent‐sprint activities, and thus, training and competition in team sports are yet to be obtained following either domestic or international air travel.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…From the limited information available, the effects of domestic air travel on exercise performance appear to be minimal, with no changes in grip strength or squat jump performance detected following travel of up to 5 h without changes in time zones (McGuckin et al., ). Consequently, further research is required to confirm the effects of domestic air travel, with and without changes in time zones, on physical performance measures.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of simulated domestic and international air travel on sleep, performance, and recovery for team sports

Fowler

Duffield

Vaile

2014

Scandinavian Med Sci Sports

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The present study examined effects of simulated air travel on physical performance. In a randomized crossover design, 10 physically active males completed a simulated 5-h domestic flight (DOM), 24-h simulated international travel (INT), and a control trial (CON). The mild hypoxia, seating arrangements, and activity levels typically encountered during air travel were simulated in a normobaric, hypoxic altitude room. Physical performance was assessed in the afternoon of the day before (D - 1 PM) and in the morning (D + 1 AM) and afternoon (D + 1 PM) of the day following each trial. Mood states and physiological and perceptual responses to exercise were also examined at these time points, while sleep quantity and quality were monitored throughout each condition. Sleep quantity and quality were significantly reduced during INT compared with CON and DOM (P < 0.01). Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery level 1 test performance was significantly reduced at D + 1 PM following INT compared with CON and DOM (P < 0.01), where performance remained unchanged (P > 0.05). Compared with baseline, physiological and perceptual responses to exercise, and mood states were exacerbated following the INT trial (P < 0.05). Attenuated intermittent-sprint performance following simulated international air travel may be due to sleep disruption during travel and the subsequent exacerbated physiological and perceptual markers of fatigue.

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“…Travel fatigue is a complex summation of physiologic, psychologic, and environmental factors that accrue during an individual trip, such as prolonged exposure to mild hypoxia and cramped conditions with restricted activity [110,111]. Several studies have assessed the acute effects of short-haul air travel without crossing time zones (total travel time between 3-5 h) on performance and perceptual measures among team sport players [101,110,112]. Globally, results showed that travel has no effect on indicators of performance (i.e.…”

Section: Travelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stress, Sleep and Recovery in Elite Soccer: A Critical Review of the Literature

et al. 2015

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In elite soccer, players are frequently exposed to various situations and conditions that can interfere with sleep, potentially leading to sleep deprivation. This article provides a comprehensive and critical review of the current available literature regarding the potential acute and chronic stressors (i.e., psychological, sociological and physiological stressors) placed on elite soccer players that may result in compromised sleep quantity and/or quality. Sleep is an essential part of the recovery process as it provides a number of important psychological and physiological functions. The effects of sleep disturbance on post-soccer match fatigue mechanisms and recovery time course are also described. Physiological and cognitive changes that occur when competing at night are often not conducive to sleep induction. Although the influence of high-intensity exercise performed during the night on subsequent sleep is still debated, environmental conditions (e.g., bright light in the stadium, light emanated from the screens) and behaviours related to evening soccer matches (e.g., napping, caffeine consumption, alcohol consumption) as well as engagement and arousal induced by the match may all potentially affect subsequent sleep. Apart from night soccer matches, soccer players are subjected to inconsistency in match schedules, unique team schedules and travel fatigue that may also contribute to the sleep debt. Sleep deprivation may be detrimental to the outcome of the recovery process after a match, resulting in impaired muscle glycogen repletion, impaired muscle damage repair, alterations in cognitive function and an increase in mental fatigue. The role of sleep in recovery is a complex issue, reinforcing the need for future research to estimate the quantitative and qualitative importance of sleep and to identify influencing factors. Efficient and individualised solutions are likely needed.

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The effects of air travel on performance measures of elite Australian rugby league players

Cited by 28 publications

References 24 publications

Effects of Northbound Long-Haul International Air Travel on Sleep Quantity and Subjective Jet Lag and Wellness in Professional Australian Soccer Players

Effects of Northbound Long-Haul International Air Travel on Sleep Quantity and Subjective Jet Lag and Wellness in Professional Australian Soccer Players

Effects of simulated domestic and international air travel on sleep, performance, and recovery for team sports

Stress, Sleep and Recovery in Elite Soccer: A Critical Review of the Literature

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