Scientific methods and travel expertise combine to help enhance U.S. Olympic athletes' performance by reducing travel-related fatigue and jet lag.

U.S. Olympic athletes can rest a little easier on their journey to the upcoming Olympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy. That is because Hilton Hotels, an official sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Team, is employing its travel expertise and working with renowned sleep expert, Dr. Mark Rosekind, to help some U.S. Olympians reduce jet lag and travel-related fatigue and thus gain a competitive edge in the upcoming Games.

"Jet lag, fatigue and the stress of travel can reduce personal performance for an athlete or business traveler by as much as 50 percent," said Dr. Mark Rosekind, a former NASA scientist and president of Alertness Solutions. "International travel can disrupt the circadian clock and significantly degrade reaction time and abilities. Countering these effects can have a dramatic effect on the performance of Team USA at the Olympic Winter Games."

By analyzing travel itineraries for participating athletes, Hilton and Dr. Rosekind will help optimize their performance through the creation of personalized programs based on scientific research, their individual sleep patterns, circadian rhythms and performance standards.

U.S. Olympic hopefuls see the program as a positive boost to their training schedule. "Travel is one of the most demanding parts of the schedule for any athlete," said U.S. Olympic Speedskater Allison Baver. "Hilton's travel and sleep expertise and personalized recommendations will help to ensure that we hit Torino rested and ready for action and will certainly give the U.S. Team the best possible advantage."

Dr. Rosekind will work individually with participating athletes to customize a program specifically designed for their needs, but there are some general tips that can help everyone overcome the potential affects of jet lag. This includes getting one to two full nights of sleep (eight hours) prior to the day of departure, bringing personal items such as eyeshades, ear plugs, and a neck pillow that can help you sleep on the flight and adjusting your internal body clock to home time when taking short trips of only a day or two.

"Travel is a critical factor in an athlete's quest for an Olympic gold medal, just as it is key for business travelers who need to perform during important meetings," said Jeffrey Diskin, senior vice president of Hilton Hotels Corporation. "Hilton is committed to enhancing the personal and professional journeys of our hotel guests and all U.S. Olympic athletes competing in the upcoming Olympic Winter Games."

Working to reduce travel-related fatigue is part of the Hilton Competitive Advantage Program and one more way the Hilton Family of Hotels is dedicated to the success of the U.S. Olympic Team. Hilton has also modified 160 resident athlete dorm rooms at the Colorado Springs U.S. Olympic Training Center to help increase the athletes' alertness and reaction time for peak performance. Like all Hilton guest rooms, the newly designed dorm rooms offer a blend of technology with the latest in sleep research and the comforts of home, including the "world's easiest to set" alarm clock and a complete bedding system featuring a plush-top mattress to reduce tossing and turning and to improve circulation while sleeping. The Hilton Family sponsorship will continue through the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and will also include sponsorship of the U.S. Team at the 2007 Pan American Games.