With a calendar that spans continents, athletes competing in International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) events are constantly dealing with long-haul travel, time zone changes and different environments. For many, managing travel fatigue has become just as important as technical preparation.
For Olympic Trap athlete Silvana Stanco, it is a decisive factor.
“It is very important to handle travel fatigue in the best way for optimal performance,” she says. “When we have long journeys and time difference, we can see that mirrored in our concentration.”
In a sport built on focus and control, even small drops in mental sharpness can make a difference. Travel fatigue, she explains, is not just about feeling tired.
“Lack of focus, wandering mind and slow reactivity are some of the symptoms I personally experience. And of course, there is the physical fatigue as well.”
To manage this, preparation begins before departure. Many athletes adjust their sleep schedules in advance, especially when competitions follow shortly after arrival.
“It is extremely helpful, especially when there isn’t much time to adapt. It has helped me perform my best many times in my career,” Stanco notes.
“Lack of focus, wandering mind and slow reactivity are some of the symptoms I personally experience. And of course, there is the physical fatigue as well.”
To manage this, preparation begins before departure. Many athletes adjust their sleep schedules in advance, especially when competitions follow shortly after arrival.
“It is extremely helpful, especially when there isn’t much time to adapt. It has helped me perform my best many times in my career,” Stanco notes.
Once on site, the approach is more cautious. Rather than forcing full training sessions, the focus shifts to recovery and gradual adaptation.
“For me, it is important to listen to my body and mind. I don’t force training if I’m not in shape,” she explains. “A light workout can help to recover faster.”
Nutrition also plays a role in that process. “Adequate nutrition is essential to recover strength before competition. Food is energy,” she adds.
“For me, it is important to listen to my body and mind. I don’t force training if I’m not in shape,” she explains. “A light workout can help to recover faster.”
Nutrition also plays a role in that process. “Adequate nutrition is essential to recover strength before competition. Food is energy,” she adds.
Each venue brings its own conditions, from climate to range setup, and adaptation is rarely the same twice.
“Every competition and every place is unique,” Stanco says. “You need to adjust to each situation by listening to what your body needs in that moment.”
As the international season grows more demanding, these routines have become part of the sport itself. Managing travel fatigue is no longer an extra — it is embedded in performance.
Because in shooting sport, consistency is everything. And consistency often depends on how well athletes manage everything that happens before they even pick up the rifle or pistol.
“Every competition and every place is unique,” Stanco says. “You need to adjust to each situation by listening to what your body needs in that moment.”
As the international season grows more demanding, these routines have become part of the sport itself. Managing travel fatigue is no longer an extra — it is embedded in performance.
Because in shooting sport, consistency is everything. And consistency often depends on how well athletes manage everything that happens before they even pick up the rifle or pistol.