Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
individual
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Elizabeth Allen, Senior
Lead Presenter's Name
Elizabeth Allen
Faculty Mentor Name
John French
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Abstract
MLS teams travel extensively for competition, averaging more than 37,000 miles flown per team each season. While the league takes numerous steps to encourage competitive parity among teams, there is an area of potential advantage that the league has not yet considered. Previous studies show that circadian rhythmicity impacts physiology and human performance. My research examines if there is a significant disadvantage for east coast teams traveling to the west and a significant advantage for west coast teams traveling east. The score, location, and kickoff time were recorded for every match between east and west coast teams in the last three years (sample size = 161). A chi square test and two sample t-test were used to determine if there is a significant difference between the win/loss percentages of east coast teams playing on the west coast and vice versa. Results of both tests were significant (p = .001; p = .0008). Continued research may include statistical comparisons of players’ physiological outputs and investigations of injury rates between matches played in different time zones. The implications of this research are profound, and research that leads to improvements in player health and wellness will have a positive impact on match results.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
No
Circadian Rhythm Effects of Travel on Team Performance in Major League Soccer (MLS)
MLS teams travel extensively for competition, averaging more than 37,000 miles flown per team each season. While the league takes numerous steps to encourage competitive parity among teams, there is an area of potential advantage that the league has not yet considered. Previous studies show that circadian rhythmicity impacts physiology and human performance. My research examines if there is a significant disadvantage for east coast teams traveling to the west and a significant advantage for west coast teams traveling east. The score, location, and kickoff time were recorded for every match between east and west coast teams in the last three years (sample size = 161). A chi square test and two sample t-test were used to determine if there is a significant difference between the win/loss percentages of east coast teams playing on the west coast and vice versa. Results of both tests were significant (p = .001; p = .0008). Continued research may include statistical comparisons of players’ physiological outputs and investigations of injury rates between matches played in different time zones. The implications of this research are profound, and research that leads to improvements in player health and wellness will have a positive impact on match results.