Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskundeSep 12, 2008

How the Body’s Internal Clock May Affect Athletic Performance

Circadian Biology Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗

Updated Apr 6, 2026

Abstract

Jet lag may lead to declines in athletic performance due to physiological desynchronization.

Circadian rhythms in humans are regulated by the suprachiasmatic nuclei in the hypothalamus.
External light helps synchronize the body's internal clock with the environmental light-dark cycle.
Rapid travel across time zones can result in an adjustment period where physiological rhythms become desynchronized.
During jet lag, performance levels may decline due to sleep disturbances and a desynchronized physiological state.
Suboptimal values of blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, and muscle strength are associated with jet lag.

Simplified

Circadian rhythms are a common characteristic ofmulticellular organisms and evolved as an adaptation to the earth's rotation on its axis. In humans, circadian rhythms are regulated by suprachiasmatic nuclei located at the base of the hypothalamus. The suprachiasmatic nuclei function as a biological clock that controls the daily rhythms of nearly all physiological functions. External light synchronises the endogenous clock to the environmental light-dark cycle. When travelling rapidly across multiple time zones, the endogenous clock must adjust to the new time. During the period of adjustment, many physiological circadian rhythms become desynchronised and jet lag occurs. Few studies have analysed the influence of jet lag on athletic performance. These studies indicate that performance levels can decline during jet lag. This seems to be a result of the desynchronized physiological state and sleep disturbances, leading to suboptimal values of blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, and muscle strength. We give some advice for athletes who must cross multiple time zones shortly before a competition.

How the Body’s Internal Clock May Affect Athletic Performance

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