Assessing sleep, travelling habits and jet lag in kite surfers according to competition level

This study evaluated sleep duration, travelling habits and jet lag effects in kite surfers according to their competition level. Ninety-four male kite surfers (34.3 +/- 8.8years) were evaluated through an online questionnaire in order to collect information on training volume, clinical history, anthropometric profile, sleep habits, fluid and fruit intake and jet lag effects on athletic performance. Mean sleep duration was 07h19min +/- 01h12min on weekdays with 82.3% sleeping less than 8h/night. Sleep duration was less on weekdays (p=0.002) and weekends (p=0.011) in kite surfers squad members (SM) compared to no squad members (NoSM). Greater jet lag symptoms were reported following west-to-east flights. Kite surfers with SM arrived earlier at the competition destination (p=0.019), were more likely to implement strategies to minimize travel effects (p=0.003), but reported more symptoms of jet lag than did NoSM (p=0.041). Travel effects were positively correlated with the distance travelled and negatively correlated with sleep duration on weekdays and water intake during travel to an international kite surfing competition. Jet lag negatively influenced kite surfers' athletic performance with greater symptoms following west-to-east travel in both SM and NoSM.