Tyranny of distance a boost for Lions

After a 13,194km journey to South Africa and about 16 hours of travel, the Crusaders are facing a disadvantage in their final against the Lions this weekend.

New Zealand Rugby medical chief Ian Murphy said there was significant research to suggest teams travelling across a time zone will play at less than 100 per cent.

‘‘There is some evidence to suggest if you are significantly jetlagged your performance will drop. It’s around precision activities as well. It’s how co-ordinated you are and how good your reaction times are.

‘‘There is a reason home advantage is exactly that. Home advantage and the issues the travelling team face around jet-lag and time zones and the fact they’re travelling long distances. Between all that [The Lions] have got an advantage before you start.’’

The science behind jet lag and sports performances isn’t just about being tired or dehydrated. When a team crosses a time-zone, the difference between the body’s internal clock and the local time can wreak havoc on players if not properly managed.

Studies have shown physical performance is better when body temperature is relatively high versus low, and this happens in the early evening according to the body’s internal clock. On Saturday night in Johannesburg the Crusaders’ the body clocks will be set at 2am (NZT).

Murphy said the effects of jetlag can be mitigated, but can never fully be overcome in a short turn around of one week. He suggested team doctors and management have strategies such as the use of sleeping pills, melatonin and hydration.

‘‘[The plane] is quite a dehydrating atmosphere. They want to keep hydrated and not to have done things that would otherwise dehydrate them. So they will have encouraged them to have a quiet night at home after the game. No silly behaviour.’’

Melatonin is used to help restore the body’s internal rhythm so it will respond to day and night correctly.

Murphy said the medical staff and players are educated around anti-doping regulations and know what is on the prohibited list, but admitted the incorrect use of sleeping pills from some players had caused NZ Rugby to rewrite the guidelines.

Super Rugby history shows travel for playoffs can kill the momentum of a winning side. In 2011 the Crusaders travelled 113,418km during the season and 31,937km for the finals alone, only to lose to the Reds in Brisbane.

The 2013 Brumbies covered 25,056km during the finals, but were outgunned in the second half of the decider against the Chiefs.