title: Effect of airline travel on performance: a review of the literature.
abstract: The need for athletes to travel long distances has spurred investigation into the effect of air travel across multiple time zones on athletic performance. Rapid eastward or westward travel may negatively affect the body in many ways; therefore, strategies should be employed to minimise these effects which may hamper athletic performance. In this review, the fundamentals of circadian rhythm disruption are examined along with additional effects of airline travel including jet lag, sleep deprivation, travel at altitude and nutritional considerations that negatively affect performance. Evidence-based recommendations are provided at the end of the manuscript to minimise the effects of airline travel on performance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94063-6342, USA.
authors.forename: Whitney E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Leatherwood
authors.forename: Jason L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Dragoo
mesh_terms: D064870:Air Travel; D000531:Altitude; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D020179:Jet Lag Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008027:Light; D008550:Melatonin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012892:Sleep Deprivation / Q000503:physiopathology; D064133:Sports Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D008550:Melatonin
keywords: Altitude; Evidence based reviews; Jet lag; Physical stress