Addressing Circadian Disruptions in Visually Impaired Paralympic Athletes

CONCLUSIONS: VI athletes with light perception but reduced visual acuity or visual fields may still benefit from light interventions in managing jet lag. However, VI athletes lacking a conscious perception of light should rely on gradual shifts in behavioral factors, such as meal timing and exercise, to facilitate the entrainment of circadian rhythms to the destination time. Furthermore, interventions like melatonin supplementation may prove useful during and after travel. In addition, it is recommended that athlete guides adopt phase-forward or phase-back approaches to synchronize with the athlete, aiding in jet-lag management and optimizing performance.PMID:38168013 | DOI:10.1123/ijspp.2023-0267
Source: International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance - Category: Sports Medicine Authors: Source Type: research