Travel related changes in performance and physiological markers: the effects of eastward travel on female basketball players

[Purpose] Purpose of this study is to measure the changes in various physiological markers and performance criteria for women basketball players over the course of a travel heavy season. [Participants and Methods] Fifty one Division-II female basketball players and a control group of 54 females joined this study. Measurements began at the beginning of the competitive season and concluded with final measurements at the end of the competitive season. [Results] The female basketball players showed noticeable increases in resting salivary cortisol, visceral trunk fat, resting heart rate, and resting blood pressure. These athletes also showed diminishment in isokinetic force of leg muscles, particularly in knee flexion strength. Vertical jump measurements also indicated a slight diminishment. In contrast, the control group experienced none of the same changes. [Conclusion] Over the course of a grueling flight schedule in combination with a full-length basketball season, the female athletes in this study showed significant declinations in many indicators of overall health. It is concluded that resulting prolonged intermittent stress of a travel-heavy season can lead to significant changes in certain physiological markers with notable decreases in isokinetic force of leg muscle.