The effect of jet lag on postural stability

Abstract

Crossing time zones can disrupt our body clock and lead to jet lag. Some studies reported that jet lag affects human physical and cognitive functions. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, none of these studies examined the effects of jet lag on postural stability. Twenty-two healthy young adult males between 23 and 36 years of age who had a round trip flight planned between the United States and Saudi Arabia were recruited. Participants attended one preflight assessment and three post-flight assessments (within 24, 48, and 72 h). Participants were put into two groups, those who did not sleep and those that slept prior to 1st post-test assessment. Participant’s postural stability was assessed using NeuroCom® VSR™ Sport computerized dynamic posturography (CDP). Significant improvements in postural stability were observed in Group 2 during the 2nd post-flight assessments p < 0.05). There was no significant impact on participant’s postural stability while flying westward crossing more than ten time zones.