# @drcherimah on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DCcsI1eIj77
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/36914432-drcherimah-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/e8c525b887.jpg
- **Posted:** 2024-11-16T22:01:58.000+00:00

## Caption

Now that Stanford Athletics has joined the ACC this year, here’s what you need to know about the impact this change could unfortunately have on student-athletes’ performance and sleep! 🛌💤 

This athletic conference shift means student-athletes will be required to face regular cross-country travel. This travel across multiple time zones results in circadian misalignment—which can impair sleep quality, physical performance, mental focus, recovery and even academic success. With multi-day trips, student-athletes will battle constant jet lag leading to potentially poor sleep, slower reaction times, and added stress on their bodies and minds.

Importantly, for Stanford, eastward travel to compete will be more challenging on the body clock and especially for peak performance on the field. To give athletes the best chance of being at their best, I recommend extending sleep the days before travel and implementing adaptation strategies targeted towards specific game/competition times!

It’s no secret that demands on student-athletes are high already between juggling academic schedules, intense training, as well as games and competition. Adding frequent jet lag and sleep disruption only compounds challenges to student-athlete well-being and health. These added travel challenges show why supporting student-athletes' sleep is crucial for peak performance, on and off the field.

In a recent publication, my colleagues and I suggest that schools plan for the following strategies to help mitigate the consequences of this travel:

✈ Pre and post travel adaptation strategies

⏰ Optimal sleep schedule protocols

🛏 Opportunity for afternoon naps

🌞 Adherence to scheduled light exposure before, during, and after travel

⌚ Utilize support from sleep technology to monitor sleep patterns

How do you think schools should help athletes manage this added stress? 

—— Dr. Cheri D. Mah is a sleep physician and performance expert who helps you unlock the power of sleep for a healthier, more productive life.

#Stanford #GoStanford #SleepMedicine #SleepScience #SportScience #SleepResearch #PerformanceScience #MahMethod #SleepHealth #ACC #CognitivePerformance #StudentAthletes

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## Credits

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Cheri D. Mah, MD, MS | Sleep Physician & Performance Expert | @drcherimah | https://gondola.cc/drcherimah | Media Personality |
| Lauren Jacaruso | @laurenjacaruso | https://gondola.cc/laurenjacaruso | Social Media Manager |

## Tags

sleepscience, sleephealth, mahmethod, sleepmedicine, gostanford, stanford, sportscience, acc, studentathletes, cognitiveperformance, performancescience, sleepresearch

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