A REVIEW ON SLEEP AND TRAVEL FATIGUE ON MATCH PERFORMANCE IN FOOTBALL: IMPACT OF CIRCADIAN RHYTHM DISRUPTION AND JET LAG
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53555/ephijer.v2i1.154Keywords:
Sleep, Travel Fatigue, Jet Lag, Circadian Rhythm Disruption, Football Performance, Athlete Recovery, Sports PhysiologyAbstract
The present study investigates the effects of sleep and travel fatigue on football match performance, with a focus on the disruptions caused by circadian rhythm misalignment and jet lag. Football teams regularly travel across time zones for international competitions, exposing athletes to circadian rhythm disruptions that can impair their performance. A systematic review of 20 studies published between 2000 and 2017 was conducted, examining the relationship between sleep quality, travel-induced fatigue, and football performance outcomes. The results indicate that poor sleep quality and the associated fatigue due to long-distance travel significantly affect match performance, with athletes experiencing reduced reaction times, decreased endurance, and impaired decision-making abilities. Furthermore, jet lag and circadian rhythm disruption were found to negatively influence physiological markers such as heart rate variability and muscle recovery. These findings underscore the importance of managing sleep and recovery protocols for football players, particularly during international travel, to optimize performance.
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