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Horacio de la Iglesia co-authored white paper on significance of chronic jet lag on student-athlete health and performance

Thursday, December 7, 2023 - 10:45

UW Biology professor Horacio de la Iglesia co-authored a white paper describing the significance of repeated, chronic jet lag on student-athlete health and performance - both in academics and in sports. UW News wrote an article on the recommendations offered in the white paper:

With several university athletic programs around the country — including the University of Washington — announcing moves to new conferences that will likely increase travel for student-athletes, a group of sleep and circadian scientists and physicians have published a white paper describing the significance of repeated, chronic jet lag on student-athlete health and performance — both in academics and in sports, and suggesting strategies to reduce the consequences of travel across time zones.

Horacio de la Iglesia, a UW professor of biology and circadian rhythms expert, was a co-author of the paper and is President of the Society for Research on Biological Rhythms.

“We all love to see the Huskies beat the Ducks, and appreciate the funds that these games bring to the UW. But, as instructors, we also know that student athletes always need to shoulder more than most students,” de la Iglesia said. “More east-west travel and more travel time has increased this load and added a sleep disparity to it. Proper sleep is critical for health and we can’t let the health of our student-athletes get out of focus. As a community, it is our responsibility to guard their sleep, which will not only protect their health, but will also optimize their academic and athletic performance.”

“Cognitive abilities are best in the morning hours, complex hand-eye coordination in early afternoon, and peak muscle performance in late afternoon-early evening,” de la Iglesia added. “Therefore, the scheduling of events can favor one or the other team.”

A total of 25 experts co-authored the paper, noting that while travel is essential in collegiate athletic programs it inevitably results in disruptions of academic work, poor sleep, and alterations in most other aspects of student life.

Read the full article in UW News.

 

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