Kiwis get clever as they prepare for mile-high test in Denver

Booze bans, blue-light therapy and ‘‘humidi-flyer’’ face masks are among steps planned to ensure the welfare of players involved in the historic league test in Denver.

New Zealand and England will clash at Mile High Stadium, the home of the three-time NFL Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos, on June 23.

The NRL and the Rugby League Players’ Association have raised concerns about the toll that it might exact on star players, particularly given that the match will be played in Colorado’s high alti- tude in midsummer.

To ensure the players’ health, NZRL has prepared a ‘‘medical overview’’ paper that includes revolutionary ways to combat jet lag, fatigue and injuries.

To ensure the players get the necessary sleep in transit and adjust to the new time zone, Kiwi players will be given melatonin for their first three days in the US and as part of their protocols for their return home. But perhaps the most intriguing aspects of the medical plan are the use of blue-light therapy and humidi-flyer technology.

The players will use humidiflyer masks that prevent dehydration by trapping the expired moisture from breath, which is then used to humidify the air inhaled.

The device, invented by former Air New Zealand staff member Paul Aberhart, has been used by sporting teams such as the All Blacks, while Australian actress Phoebe Tonkin famously posted a pic of herself using it. The mask is said to prevent jet lag and protect against viruses.

Blue-light therapy exposes subjects to natural or violet light in order to combat sleep and mood disorders. The NZRL hopes the combination of treatments, as well as the use of multivitamins, will ensure the players arrive and return in the best possible physical condition.