News Update

March 2010

Melbourne Storm's Travel + Jet Lag Strategy Pays Off

Planning and preparation play a major role in competitive sports performance. The sports science planning behind Melbourne Storm, Australia's top rugby league side, in the lead up to the Rugby League World Club Challenge was meticulous. And how it paid off.

Australian rugby league teams have historically struggled with this particular fixture, both on arrival in the UK and on their return home. The long flight, dehydration, crossing time zones, jet-lag and climate change, all take their toll.

For this all or nothing clash, the Storm increased their preparation time in the UK giving themselves longer to acclimatise. They also developed new in flight strategies and were able to monitor the effects of the flight both during and on arrival in the UK. Training was monitored and adapted accordingly.

Follow this link to the Sydney Morning Herald to read about 'Storm on the Road to Recovery' - it's a brief insight into the role of the sports science team on the team's return to Australia. Recovery from jet lag was equally important on their return home in order to help the players quickly adjust back into their own rugby league fixtures.

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/storm-on-the-road-to-recovery-20100308-pr3i.html