Influence of air travel on athletic performance Youngestedt, Shawn & O'Connor, Patrick J (1999) Sports Medicine (NZL) Vol. 28, No 3, pp 197 - 207

Long distance air travel is a reality for modern athletes and it has often been assumed that air travel has detrimental effects on athletic performance. The plausibility of this assumption is supported by established deterioration in sleep and mood following transmeridian flight.

However, the scientific evidence supporting the assumption is not consistent. Recent retrospective assessments of athletic team performance based on distance travelled have generally failed to indicate performance impairments following transmeridian flight.

This article examines whether there is a circadian rhythm of athletic performance, looking specifically at sleep inertia, time of usual activity and previous rest, and also at sport specific performance. There is compelling evidence that sleep deprivation for up to 72 hours impairs athletic performance. Such prolonged sleep deprivation undoubtedly exceeds that encountered by athletes in most situations.