Can you cure Jet Lag with exercise?
Medically Reviewed by Dr Aifric Boylan
Last updated on 19.06.2023
Does exercise help Jet Lag?
A new study performed at the University of Arizona has shown that exercise influences the human body’s response to jet lag. A hormone called melatonin, produced by the pineal gland (in the brain), appears to play an important role in causing sleep. If you measure levels of melatonin, you find it goes up at night. Over a 5 day period, researchers at the University of Arizona made 99 volunteers follow differing exercise regimes and measured the changes in their melatonin levels. The exercise regimes involved getting on a treadmill for an hour a day at a set time.
So what were the findings?
The researchers found that
- Volunteers who exercised at 7am or between 1pm and 4pm caused their melatonin levels to go up significantly earlier in the evening (which may cause sleep to occur earlier).
- Volunteers who exercised between 7pm and 10pm delayed the melatonin rise (which may cause sleep to be delayed).
Although it’s not possible to say with any certainty that these exercise patterns will affect sleep in the ways specified, it seems likely that there could be a noticeable effect.
So is it worth trying exercise to treat Jet Lag?
Based on this research and given the widespread use of melatonin tablets to treat jet lag, it seems reasonable to use exercise to influence your sleep patterns when you’re expecting to suffer from Jet Lag.
If trying this approach it makes sense to exercise a few hours before you want to sleep – or exercise at times you want to stay awake.
Article Resources:
Inguinal hernia
Inguinal hernia A hernia is a bulge or protrusion through a weakness or an opening. An inguinal hernia is one that occurs in the groin where the abdomen meets [...]
Anogenital warts
Anogenital warts What are anogenital warts? Anogenital warts are caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and can affect the anus and the genitals. There are over 150 types of [...]
ACL injuries & tears
ACL injuries & tears The knee has two ligaments inside the joint, that stabilise it when we are moving forwards or backwards. These are called the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments. The anterior cruciate [...]
What is a fractured penis?
What is a fractured penis? Although the penis doesn’t have a bone in it, it can be fractured! A fractured penis occurs when the spongy tissue that swells during [...]
Could your home be causing asthma and allergies?
Could your home be causing your Asthma? Overview Our homes are not just a roof over our heads- they play a key role in our health, particularly when it [...]
How to fix an ingrown toenail
How to get rid of an ingrown toenail What is an ingrown toenail? Ingrown toenail is an extremely common condition which occurs when the inner or outer side of [...]