ONE IDEA

Plan your flights around jet lag.

THE WHY

Allocating sufficient time between your time of arrival and your competition will make the world of difference for your body to be able to adapt to time zone changes. Pipe (2011) recommends 1 day allocated to acclimatize for each time zone crossed.

MY THOUGHTS/ PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

If you live in Vienna (GMT+1) and you compete in Tokyo (GMT+9) you are separated by 8 time zones, so you should ideally allocate 8 days between when you arrive and when you need to be in peak condition. If you live in Toronto (GMT-5) and compete in Vancouver (GMT-8) you want 3 days of separation.

I strongly recommend athletes chose flights in such a way that they allow sufficient time to adapt. You won’t always have the luxury of time like this, but you need to make it if you want to be in peak condition.

The same is true if you want to maximize any experience. If you are going to the Roman Coliseum and want to soak in the experience as much as possible, give yourself the right amount of time to prepare.

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE

“Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.

            -Leonardo da Vinci

References

Pipe, A. L. (2011). International travel and the elite athlete. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, 21(1), 62-66.