Flight Crew Alertness and Sleep Relative to Timing of In-Flight Rest Periods in Long-Haul Flights

2021 ◽  
Vol 92 (2) ◽  
pp. 83-91
Author(s):  
Kevin B. Gregory ◽  
Rhiannon N. Soriano-Smith ◽  
Amanda C. M. Lamp ◽  
Cassie J. Hilditch ◽  
Michael J. Rempe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Duration ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Federal Aviation Administration ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Flight Crew ◽  
Home Base ◽  
The Third ◽  
Rest Break ◽  
Rest Periods ◽  
Flight Operations

BACKGROUND: In-flight breaks are used during augmented long-haul flight operations, allowing pilots a sleep opportunity. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration duty and rest regulations restrict the pilot flying the landing to using the third rest break. It is unclear how effective these restrictions are on pilots ability to obtain sleep. We hypothesized there would be no difference in self-reported sleep, alertness, and fatigue between pilots taking the second vs. third rest breaks.METHODS: Pilots flying augmented operations in two U.S.-based commercial airlines were eligible for the study. Volunteers completed a survey at top-of-descent (TOD), including self-reported in-flight sleep duration, and Samn-Perelli fatigue and Karolinska Sleepiness Scale ratings. We compared the second to third rest break using noninferiority analysis. The influence of time of day (home-base time; HBT) was evaluated in 4-h blocks using repeated measures ANOVA.RESULTS: From 787 flights 500 pilots provided complete data. The second rest break was noninferior to the third break for self-reported sleep duration (1.5 0.7 h vs. 1.4 0.7 h), fatigue (2.0 1.0 vs. 2.9 1.3), and sleepiness (2.6 1.4 vs. 3.8 1.8) at TOD for landing pilots. Measures of sleep duration, fatigue, and sleepiness were influenced by HBT circadian time of day.DISCUSSION: We conclude that self-reported in-flight sleep, fatigue, and sleepiness from landing pilots taking the second in-flight rest break are equivalent to or better than pilots taking the third break. Our findings support providing pilots with choice in taking the second or third in-flight rest break during augmented operations.Gregory KB, Soriano-Smith RN, Lamp ACM, Hilditch CJ, Rempe MJ, Flynn-Evans EE, Belenky GL. Flight crew alertness and sleep relative to timing of in-flight rest periods in long-haul flights. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2021; 92(2):8391.

302 Sleep, Sleepiness, and Performance Across Three In-Flight Bunk Rest Opportunities

SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A120-A121
Author(s):  
Cassie Hilditch ◽  
Lucia Arsintescu ◽  
Kevin Gregory ◽  
Erin Evans
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Duration ◽  
Equal Opportunity ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Vigilance Task ◽  
Performance Outcomes ◽  
Sleep Inertia ◽  
The Third ◽  
Rest Break ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Rest Breaks

Abstract Introduction Airline pilots are required to take a rest break in a bunk during long-haul flights in an effort to reduce sleepiness during critical phases of flight. It is unclear, however, whether each rest break affords equal opportunity for sleep. We aimed to characterize sleep, sleepiness, and performance outcomes across three in-flight rest breaks during long-haul flights. Methods Thirty-seven pilots wore actiwatches and completed sleep diaries for approximately two weeks while flying a variety of long-haul routes (n=126 flights). Self-reported in-flight bunk rest (BR) periods were used to set rest intervals and sleep was estimated within these intervals using actigraphy software (wake threshold set to medium). Pilots provided Karolinska Sleepiness Scale ratings (KSS) and performed a 5-minute psychomotor vigilance task (PVT) before landing. A linear mixed-effects model with participant included as a random effect and allowed to vary by intercept was used to assess differences between BR opportunities. Results The majority (97%, n=122) of BR periods contained sleep (as estimated by actigraphy). The mean (+/- standard deviation) sleep duration for the first, middle, and third BR opportunity was 152.8 (69.7), 149.2 (44.1), 125.2 (44.9) minutes, respectively. There was a significant effect of BR opportunity for sleep duration (F(2,54) = 3.747, p=.03) and KSS (F(2,44) = 7.869, p=.001). Bonferroni adjusted planned pairwise contrasts revealed that pilots using the third BR obtained significantly less sleep than in the first BR (p=.029). KSS ratings prior to landing were higher for the third BR compared to both the first (p=.001) and middle BR (p=.017). There were no significant differences for PVT speed or lapses (all p>05). Conclusion These results suggest that the last rest break is associated with shorter sleep, lower alertness, and no differences in performance relative to the other rest breaks. Further analysis is required to determine whether the higher KSS ratings following the third rest break are associated with sleep inertia, or whether other factors may be involved. Support (if any) NASA Airspace Operations and Safety Program, System-Wide Safety Project

Detachment From Work in Airport Hotels

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben J. Searle
Keyword(s):  
Home Base ◽  
Airline Pilots ◽  
Psychological Detachment ◽  
Rest Periods ◽  
Psychological Detachment From Work

The work of airline pilots is demanding and must be followed by rest periods (slips) so that pilots recover sufficiently well to keep flying safely. When slips occur away from home base, pilots are usually accommodated in a hotel. This paper reviews the phenomenon of psychological detachment from work (i.e., not thinking about work) and its implications for pilot accommodation and recovery. The review suggests that pilots accommodated in hotels located in or close to airports may be less able to psychologically detach from work during slips, with implications for recovery, fatigue, and ultimately safety. The paper presents a rationale for considering psychological detachment from work when evaluating the quality of hotels chosen for pilots.

scholarly journals Myopia control effect of defocus incorporated multiple segments (DIMS) spectacle lens in Chinese children: results of a 3-year follow-up study

2021 ◽  
pp. bjophthalmol-2020-317664
Author(s):  
Carly SY Lam ◽  
Wing Chun Tang ◽  
Paul H Lee ◽  
Han Yu Zhang ◽  
Hua Qi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Historical Control ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Effect ◽  
Myopia Progression ◽  
The Third ◽  
Spherical Equivalent Refraction ◽  
Mean Differences ◽  
Myopia Control

AimsTo determine myopia progression in children who continued to wear the defocus incorporated multiple segments (DIMS) lenses or switched from single vision (SV) to DIMS lenses for a 1-year period following a 2-year myopia control trial.Methods128 children participated in this study. The children who had worn DIMS lenses continued to wear DIMS lenses (DIMS group), and children who had worn SV lenses switched to wear DIMS lenses (Control-to-DIMS group). Cycloplegic spherical equivalent refraction (SER) and axial length (AL) were measured at 6-month interval. Historical controls were age matched to the DIMS group at 24 months and used for comparing the third-year changes.ResultsOver 3 years, SER and AL changes in the DIMS group (n=65) were −0.52±0.69D and 0.31±0.26 mm; these changes were not statistically significant over time (repeated measures analysis of variance, p>0.05).SER (−0.04±0. 38D) and AL (0.08±0.12 mm) changes in the Control-to-DIMS group (n=55) in the third year were less compared with the first (mean difference=0.45 ± 0.30D, 0.21±0.11 mm, p<0.001) and second (0.34±0.30D, 0.12±0.10 mm, p<0.001) years.Changes in SER and AL in both groups over that period were significantly less than in the historical control group (DIMS vs historical control: mean difference=−0.18±0.42D, p=0.012; 0.08±0.15 mm, p=0.001; Control-to-DIMS versus historical control: adjusted mean differences=−0.30±0.42D, p<0.001; 0.12±0.16 mm, p<0.001).ConclusionsMyopia control effect was sustained in the third year in children who had used the DIMS spectacles in the previous 2 years and was also shown in the children switching from SV to DIMS lenses.

Overview of recent cases before the Court of Justice of the European Union (November 2020-March 2021)

2021 ◽  
pp. 138826272110092
Author(s):  
Pauline Melin
Keyword(s):  
Parental Leave ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Framework Agreement ◽  
The Third ◽  
Court Of Justice ◽  
Rest Periods ◽  
First Case ◽  
Family Benefits ◽  
Grand Chamber ◽  
Italian Legislation

In this reporting period (November 2020-March 2021), five cases will be presented. The first case is INPS v WS (C-302/19), dealing with the Italian legislation that excludes Single Permit holders from receiving family benefits for their family members residing in a third country. In the second report, two cases rendered on the same day by the Grand Chamber of the Court are discussed. In D.J. v Radiotelevizija Slovenija (C-344/19) and RJ v Stadt Offenbach am Main (C-580/19), the Court clarified the circumstances under which periods of stand-by time could be considered as ‘working time’ or, alternatively, ‘rest periods’ under Directive 2003/88. XI v Caisse pour l’avenir des enfants (C-129/20) is the third case reported. It concerns an interpretation of the Framework Agreement on parental leave in the light of the Luxembourg legislation, which requires parents to be employed at the time of their child’s birth to benefit from parental leave. Finally, the case report ends with VL v Szpital Kliniczny im. dra J. Babińskiego Samodzielny Publiczny Zakład Opieki Zdrowotnej w Krakowie (C-16/19), a case of discrimination on grounds of disability.

scholarly journals The Application of a Computerized Cognitive Screening Tool in Naval Aviators

2021 ◽  
Vol 186 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 198-204
Author(s):  
Shawnna M Chee ◽  
Veronica E Bigornia ◽  
Daniel L Logsdon
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Screening Tool ◽  
Federal Aviation Administration ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Operational Environment ◽  
Desktop Computer ◽  
Naval Aviators ◽  
High Performance Aircraft

ABSTRACT Introduction The CogScreen-Aeromedical Edition (CogScreen-AE) is a computerized neurocognitive assessment screening tool developed for the Federal Aviation Administration as a rapid, reliable means of measuring neurocognitive deficiency in civilian airline pilots. This has potential use and assessment of military aviators flying high performance aircraft under extreme conditions; however, no data exist on how the dynamic flight environment affects CogScreen-AE scores. The objectives of this study were to determine what changes in performance on CogScreen-AE scores are seen post-flight in Naval Aviators flying high performance aircraft and to determine the potential for use of CogScreen-AE as a screening tool to evaluate degree of impairment, recovery from neurological illness, and return to duty status of a military aviator. Materials and Methods Repeated measures, within-subjects experimental design with three CogScreen-AE administrations—introduction session, preflight session, and postflight session. An experimental study group was exposed to dynamic flight between preflight and postflight sessions, while a control group flew a desktop computer flight simulator between sessions. Data were analyzed by mixed model ANOVA using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences to compare CogScreen-AE pre- and postflight performance on 5 composite scores of variables that account for 45% of the variance in predicting flight performance. Results Preflight versus postflight scores demonstrated no significant differences in performance attributable to flight in high performance aircraft. Conclusions The CogScreen-AE performance is shown to be consistent preflight to post-flight. These data show that CogScreen-AE may be a reliable clinical instrument for assessing aviators’ cognitive function with regard to return to flight duty decision-making. We anticipate future work in determining how CogScreen-AE can be utilized in the operational environment and documenting recovery from neurologic illness.

scholarly journals Viability of gait speed test in hospitalized elderly patients

2016 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 196-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Prata Martinez ◽  
Anne Karine Menezes Santos Batista ◽  
Isis Resende Ramos ◽  
Júlio Cesar Dantas ◽  
Isabela Barboza Gomes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Gait Speed ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Maximum Speed ◽  
Actual Performance ◽  
Physical Test ◽  
Speed Test ◽  
The Third ◽  
Hospitalized Elderly ◽  
Hospitalized Elderly Patients

ABSTRACT Objective: The gait speed test (GST) is a physical test that can predict falls and aid in the diagnosis of sarcopenia in the elderly. However, to our knowledge, there have been no studies evaluating its reproducibility in hospitalized elderly patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and reproducibility of the six-meter GST (6GST) in hospitalized elderly patients. Methods: This repeated measures study involved hospitalized elderly patients (≥ 60 years of age) who underwent the 6GST by the fifth day of hospitalization, were able to walk without assistance, and presented no signs of dyspnea or pain that would prevent them from performing the test. The 6GST was performed three times in sequence, with a rest period between each test, in a level corridor. Gait speed was measured in meters/second. Reproducibility was assessed by comparing the means, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Bland-Altman plots. Results: We evaluated 110 elderly patients in a total of 330 tests. All participants completed all of the tests. The comparisons between the speeds obtained during the three tests showed high ICCs and a low mean bias (Bland-Altman plots). The correlation and accuracy were greatest when the mean maximum speed was compared with that obtained in the third test (1.26 ± 0.44 m/s vs. 1.22 ± 0.44 m/s; ICC = 0.99; p = 0.001; mean bias = 0.04; and limits of agreement = −0.27 to 0.15). Conclusions: The 6GST was proven to be safe and to have good reproducibility in this sample of hospitalized elderly patients. The third measurement seems to correspond to the maximum speed, since the first two measurements underestimated the actual performance.

scholarly journals Temporal Considerations for Self-Report Research Using Short Message Service

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 200-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin Walsh ◽  
Jay K. Brinker
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Short Message Service ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
High Response Rate ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Short Message ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Message Service ◽  
Working Day

Abstract. When using Short Message Service (SMS) as a tool for data collection in psychological research, participants can be contacted at any time. This study examined how sampling frequency and time of day of contact impacted on response rates, response completeness, and response delay in repeated measures data collected via SMS. Eighty-five undergraduate students completed a six-item self-report questionnaire via SMS, in response to 20 SMS prompts sent on a random schedule. One group responded across 2 days, the other on a compressed schedule of 1 day. Overall, there was a high response rate. There was no significant difference in response rate, completeness, and delay of those responding across 1 or 2 days. Timing between prompts did not impact on response behavior. Responses were more likely to be complete if prompts were sent during the working day. The shortest time between prompts was 15 min, however, and use of an undergraduate sample limits generalizability. When conducting repeated measures sampling using SMS, researchers should be aware that more frequent sampling can be associated with poorer data quality, and should aim to collect data during the working day rather than mornings or evenings.

Prediction of Human Segment Inertias during Pregnancy

1996 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert K. Jensen ◽  
Tina Treitz ◽  
Sylvie Doucet
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Center Of Mass ◽  
Predictor Variables ◽  
Radius Of Gyration ◽  
Regression Equations ◽  
Lower Trunk ◽  
The Third ◽  
Cylinder Model ◽  
Linear Regressions

The purpose of this study was to develop prediction equations to estimate mass, radius to the center of mass (CM), and principal moments of the segments during pregnancy. Nonlinear regression equations were determined for the lower trunk, upper trunk, and thigh. The third sampling month of a longitudinal study was used (Sample 1,n= 15). The nonlinear regressions were then used to predict segment inertias above and below the third sampling month (Sample 2, the remaining 74 measurements). For the remaining segments, body mass and segment lengths were used as predictor variables for mass, radius to CM, and radius of gyration about the centroidal axes. The remaining seven segments did not change substantially during pregnancy, and the means of the repeated measures were used for the simple linear regressions. Eighteen of the 28 regressions and all of the CM regressions were significant. With pregnant subjects it is recommended that these regressions be used if application of the elliptical cylinder model is not possible.

Effect of cluster set warm-up configurations on sprint performance in collegiate male soccer players

2018 ◽  
Vol 43 (6) ◽  
pp. 625-630 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brett S. Nickerson ◽  
Gerald T. Mangine ◽  
Tyler D. Williams ◽  
Ismael A. Martinez
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Sprint Performance ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Strength And Conditioning ◽  
Warm Up ◽  
Back Squat ◽  
Cluster Set ◽  
Rest Periods ◽  
Single Cluster ◽  
Traditional Manner

The purpose of this study was to determine if back squat cluster sets (CS) with varying inter-repetition rest periods would potentiate greater sprint performance compared with a traditional set parallel back squat in collegiate soccer players. Twelve collegiate male soccer players (age, 21.0 ± 2.0 years; height, 180.0 ± 9.0 cm; body mass, 79.0 ± 9.5 kg) performed a 20-m sprint prior to a potentiation complex and at 1, 4, 7, and 10 min postexercise on 3 separate, randomized occasions. On each occasion, the potentiation complex consisted of 1 set of 3 repetitions at 85% 1-repetition maximum (1RM) for the traditional parallel back squat. However, on 1 occasion the 3-repetition set was performed in a traditional manner (i.e., continuously), whereas on the other 2 occasions, 30s (CS30) and 60 s (CS60) of rest were allotted between each repetition. Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed greater (p = 0.022) mean barbell velocity on CS60 compared with the traditional set. However, faster (p < 0.040) 20-m sprint times were observed for CS30 (3.15 ± 0.16 s) compared with traditional (3.20 ± 0.17 s) only at 10 min postexercise. No other differences were observed. These data suggest that a single cluster set of 3 repetitions with 30-s inter-repetition rest periods at 85% 1RM acutely improves 20-m sprinting performance. Strength and conditioning professionals and their athletes might consider its inclusion during the specific warm-up to acutely improve athletic performance during the onset (≤10 min) of training or competition.

Association of magnesium intake with sleep duration and sleep quality: findings from the CARDIA study

SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yijia Zhang ◽  
Cheng Chen ◽  
Liping Lu ◽  
Kristen L Knutson ◽  
Mercedes R Carnethon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Sleep Duration ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Estimating Equation ◽  
Dietary History ◽  
Short Sleep ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Depression Status ◽  
Intake Ratio

Abstract Study Objectives As an antagonist of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) has been implicated in the regulation of sleep. We aimed to examine the longitudinal associations of Mg intake and Ca-to-Mg intake ratio (Ca:Mg) with sleep quality and duration. Methods The study sample consisted of 3,964 participants from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. Dietary and supplementary intake of Mg were obtained using the CARDIA Dietary History at baseline (1985–1986), exam years 7 and 20. Self-reported sleep outcomes were measured at years 15 and 20. Sleep quality was rating from 1 (very good) to 5 (very bad). We categorized sleep duration to &lt;7, 7–9, and &gt;9 h. Generalized estimating equation was used to examine the associations of interest as repeated measures at the two time points. Results After adjustment for potential confounders, Mg intake was borderline associated with better sleep quality [highest quartile (Q4) vs. intake quartile (Q1): odds ratio (OR) = 1.23; 95% CI = 0.999, 1.50, ptrend = 0.051]. Participants in Q4 were also less likely to have short sleep (&lt;7 h) compared to those in Q1 (OR = 0.64; 95% CI = 0.51, 0.81, ptrend = 0.012). The observed association with short sleep persisted among participants without depressive disorders (Q4 vs. Q1: OR = 0.64; 95% CI = 0.49, 0.82, ptrend &lt; 0.001), but not among individuals with depressive disorder. Ca:Mg was not associated with either outcomes, regardless of depression status. Conclusions Mg intake was associated with both sleep outcomes in this longitudinal analysis. Randomized controlled trials with objective measures of sleep are warranted to establish the potential causal inference.

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