[bababui]

It would be cool if Markus included periphiral factors like jet-lag that slightly affects on the field performance...evidence listed here

http://bjsm.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/32/2/101

British Journal of Sports Medicine, Vol 32, Issue 2 101-106, Copyright © 1998 by British Association of Sport and Medicine

Circadian rhythms, athletic performance, and jet lag



R Manfredini, F Manfredini, C Fersini and F Conconi
Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Universita di Ferrara, Italy.

Rapid air travel across several time zones exposes the traveller to a shift<SUP> </SUP>in his/her internal biological clock. The result is a transient<SUP> </SUP>desynchronisation of the circadian rhythm, called jet lag, lasting until<SUP> </SUP>the rhythm is rephased to the new environmental conditions. The most<SUP> </SUP>commonly experienced symptoms are sleep disorders, difficulties with<SUP> </SUP>concentrating, irritability, depression, fatigue, disorientation, loss of<SUP> </SUP>appetite, and gastrointestinal disturbance. Apart from the decrements in<SUP> </SUP>mental and physical performance directly consequent on such symptoms,<SUP> </SUP>competitive athletes are also exposed to the additional negative<SUP> </SUP>consequences of a shift from the optimal circadian window of performance. A<SUP> </SUP>brief summary of the possible negative effects of jet lag on athletic<SUP> </SUP>performance and potentially alleviating strategies is given. </VARDEF>