Jet lag recovery findings bag sleep research award
He’s helped Olympians beat jet lag before they compete, now a CQUniversity sleep researcher has earned his own place on the podium.
Dr Dean Miller recently received a Research Excellence Award from the Australasian Chronobiology Society, recognising his investigation into athlete recovery from jet lag.
He shared his findings at the Australasian Chronobiology Society’s 22nd Annual Scientific Meeting on Tuesday 7 October in Adelaide, with his presentation Circadian adaptation rate after eastward and westward travel in athletes.
Dr Miller said understanding a critical time point in our body clock, when our core body temperature is at its lowest, was key to mitigating the impacts of travel.
“The start of our body clock usually falls anywhere between midnight and 4am, and if you get light within three or so hours before that time, it’s going to move your body clock later in the day,” he explained.
“If you’re exposed to light after that time, it’s going to move your body clock earlier in the day.”
Timing light exposure can help adjustment – with morning light for an earlier time zone (travelling east), and evening light exposure for a later time zone (travelling west).
Dr Miller also recommended establishing strong sleep routines before and after travel.
“For instance if you have a sleep-friendly environment at home, and good sleep hygiene habits, you can recreate those when you travel to improve recovery,” he said.
Last year, Dr Miller worked with the Australian team ahead of the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, supporting them to minimise jet lag, for best possible performance.
A Senior Lecturer and Postgraduate Research Coordinator with CQUniversity’s Appleton Institute, Dr Miller said the Australasian Chronobiology Society recognition was an honour.
“If not addressed, jet lag can disadvantage Australian athletes who regularly travel around the globe for competition, but it also impacts all of us when we fly across time zones,” he said.
“It’s been exciting to see this research area develop, but there is plenty of work to do.
"The next step is to personalise circadian strategies for athletes, flight crew, and travellers.
"For now, I think we need to keep building the foundational science rather than over-developing technologies that may run ahead of the evidence.”
Dr Miller also recently presented at Sleep Down Under 2025, the Australian Sleep Association’s national conference, and was a judge for the Sleep Health Foundation’s Innovation and Sleep Science Communication Award.
Dr Miller completed his PhD with CQUniversity in 2021, exploring measurement tools, countermeasures, and circadian strategies to mitigate compromised sleep for athletes.
Appleton Institute is CQUniversity’s flagship research hub for health and wellbeing at work, rest and play.
