J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2001 Mar-Apr; 24(3): 191-8.

The effect of chiropractic care on jet lag of Finnish junior elite athletes.

Straub WF, Spino MP, Alattar MM, Pfleger B, Downes JW, Belizaire MA, Heinonen OJ, Vasankari T.

Life University, International Sports Training Institute, Marietta, GA 30050, USA.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of chiropractic care on jet lag in Finnish junior elite athletes. SUBJECTS: Fifteen Finnish junior elite athletes. METHODS: Through use of a table of random numbers, each athlete was assigned by sex to one of 3 groups: chiropractic adjustment, sham adjustment, or control. As needed, the chiropractic adjustment group athletes (n = 5) were adjusted on a daily basis by licensed chiropractors using a toggle/recoil procedure. The sham adjustment group athletes (n = 5) received sham adjustments on a daily basis by licensed chiropractors. The control group athletes (n = 5) were not adjusted or sham-adjusted but participated in all test protocols. Sleep, jet lag, chiropractic, and mood data (the last acquired through use of the Profile of Mood States) were collected on a daily basis for 18 consecutive days. RESULTS: Repeated-measures analyses of variance (3 x 2) of total mood disturbance scores and heart rate variables indicated that there were no significant (.05 level) between-group differences. Sleep data were analyzed through use of a 3 x 2, repeated-measures multivariate analysis of variance. Pillai's trace indicated that there were no between-group differences. Self-assessment of jet lag by participants after traveling to Georgia and after returning to Finland showed no between-group differences. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that chiropractic care did not reduce the effects of jet lag.