Acta Univ. Palacki. Olomuc., Gymn. 2009 39(2): 13-21

Autonomic nervous system activity during acclimatization after rapid air travel across time zones: A case study

Michal Botek, Pavel Stejskal, Zbyněk Svozil
Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacky University, Olomouc

Background: The rapid transition across time zones also known as jet lag syndrome leads to desynchronization of our endogenous "biological" clock and causes a transient decrease in the adaptation capacity of an athlete.

Objective: The aim of this study was to verify the use of the spectral analysis of heart rate variability (SA HRV) method as a tool for classification of the answer of the body to both the rapid transition across time zones and the training intensity level during the following acclimatization.

Methods: Changes in autonomic activity were assessed by SA HRV during acclimatization after eastward (+6 hours) and westward (-7 hours) flights in two elite athletes.

Results: The results revealed that the athlete, who undertook a flight from Prague to Beijing (China), was able to start with intensive training during the fourth day of his acclimatization. No acute decrease in training ability (adaptability) was found in the athlete after the flight from Prague to Bogota (Columbia). Significant modifications in her training load level were made only on the third day in Columbia. The study confirmed that the reaction of the body to the rapid transition across time zones is highly individual.

Conclusions: Therefore, in the future, the SA HRV method could become a promising tool for solving questions of both the acclimatization strategy and the optimizing of sport performance in elite athletes.

Keywords: Spectral analysis of heart rate variability, jet lag syndrome, adaptation, training load, sport performance

Prepublished online: February 2, 2010; Published: March 1, 2009  Show citation

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Botek, M., Stejskal, P., & Svozil, Z. (2009). Autonomic nervous system activity during acclimatization after rapid air travel across time zones: A case study. Acta Universitatis Palackianae Olomucensis. Gymnica, 39(2), 13-21
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