Changes in the condition of top Japanese athletes in association with prolonged air travel to foreign countries.

To examine body conditioning requirements during foreign expeditions with prolonged air travel, we investigated the changes in condition that accompany long flights among top Japanese athletes. Athletes from the Japanese delegation who participated in the 14th Asian Games (2002/Busan) were surveyed using a questionnaire on their foreign travel in 2002, regarding the experiences of change in their condition and the influence on performance in the competition, and activities performed in the air plane during the flight. We collected effective data from five hundred and twenty-nine (529)athletes. Countries most frequently visited were China, followed by France, the United States of America, Australia, and Canada. Two hundred and fifty (250)athletes experienced swelling of the crus and lower back and crus pain in the past. One hundred and forty-one athletes also noted deterioration in their condition due to prolonged travel. In forty-one (41)athletes, the deterioration of their condition influenced their performance in the competition. About three hundred and ninety (390)to four hundred (450)athletes did not organize the timing or content of breakfast, dinner or sleep in the days before travel or on the day of travel, in consideration of the time difference. The most frequently performed activities in the airplane were sleeping, reading books, listening to music, and watching movies. However, exercises such as stretching, massage, flexibility exercises, and easy training were less frequent. Many athletes drunk beverages such as tea, coffee, water, or alcohol, and took care over keeping their bodies warm and preventing dry nose and/or throat. As the drinks mentioned are diuretics thus causing dehydration, athletes should be advised to take isotonic drinks with minerals. These findings suggest that prolonged air travel that accompanies foreign expeditions influenced the condition of top Japanese athletes, which was related to performance in competitions. We concluded that fluid intake to prevent dehydration, gentle exercise to facilitate peripheral blood circulation, and attention to timing and volume of sleep and meals before and during travel were required to prevent condition deterioration in top Japanese athletes. Then, circadian rhythm disorder related to jet-lag characterized by fatigue, depression and sleep problems was discussed and resynchronization with the local time recommended. Consequently, subliminal problems during foreign travel were clarified to improve the conditioning of representative athletes. Coaches should educate athletes on the importance of conditioning during prolonged air travel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]