Presentation at the 8th World Congress on Science and Football Abstract Though international travel is a common requirement for elite team sport athletes, limited information is available on the recovery timeline for team sport performance following travel. Consequently, the present study aimed to determine the effects of long-haul transmeridian air travel on physical performance relevant to team sports. Data was collected from 19 physically active males at 09:00 (AM) and 17:00 (PM) for 4 days prior to (Baseline) and following (Post 1-4) 20 h eastward air travel across 8 time-zones. Specifically, participants performed a countermovement jump (CMJ), 20-m sprint and agility test (T-Test), followed by the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery level 1 (YYIR1) test. Analyses were performed by fitting a linear mixed model to the absolute change from baseline. CMJ mean power and force were significantly reduced at Post 1 PM, Post 2 and 3 AM and PM, and Post 4 AM (P<0.05;>0.90). 5-, 10- and 20-m sprint times were significantly slower at Post 1, 2 and 3 PM (P<0.05;>0.90), and agility times were significantly slower at Post 1 PM (P=0.01; d=1.62). Lastly, at Post 1 and 3 PM, distance covered in the YYIR1 was significantly reduced (P<0.05;>0.90), whilst large effect sizes indicated reduced YYIR1 performance at Post 2 PM (P=0.09; d=1.11). Results from the present study suggest team sport physical performance may be reduced up to 4 days following eastward long-haul transmeridian air travel. This has implications for the timing of arrival prior to competition and training prescription in the days following long-haul flights in team sport athletes.

1. 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.

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

3. 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

4. INTRODUCTION
2. Detrimental effects of long-haul travel on performance
Reilly et al. 2001

5. INTRODUCTION
3. Recovery timeline of team-sport performance?

6. INTRODUCTION
3. Recovery timeline of team-sport performance?

7. INTRODUCTION
3. Recovery timeline of team-sport performance?
2093 (2076-2110) m

8. 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)

9. 7daywashout
4daywashout
METHODS
Experimental Design
21 h
WEST
8 time-zones
21 h
EAST
8 time-zones
Baseline

10. 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.

11. RESULTS
09:00
17:00

12. RESULTS
09:00
17:00

13. RESULTS
17:00
09:00

14. RESULTS
17:00
17:00

15. RESULTS
17:00

16. 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?

17. ↓-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)

18. 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

19. DISCUSSION
Kline et al. 2007

20. 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

21. DISCUSSION

22. DISCUSSION

23. 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.

25. FUTURE RESEARCH
• Elite team sport athletes as participants.
• Sport/training specific performance measures.
• Longitudinal post-travel recovery timeline.

26. Travel Performance Sub-max HR Actigraphy
Jet-lag & PerceptualUrine Light Exposure
7daywashout
4daywashout
Blood Saliva Sleep Hygiene
Cognitive
Function