Department of Human Kinetics and Ergonomics, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
Davy, J., Department of Human Kinetics and Ergonomics, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa; Göbel, M., Department of Human Kinetics and Ergonomics, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
This study compared the effects of a 1 h self-selected recovery period to those of a standard night shift arrangement (with a total break time of 1-h) over a simulated three-day night shift schedule in a laboratory setting. Results showed that the inclusion of the flexible nap scheme resulted in higher performance output, improvements in physiological strain responses and reduced sleepiness during each night shift and generally over the three-night cycle. Certain variables also revealed the impact of napping compared with the standard rest break condition on the circadian rhythm. The sleep diary records show that the inclusion of the current intervention did not significantly reduce daytime recovery sleep. The results suggest that the potential benefits of flexible napping may outweigh the logistical effort it requires in a workplace environment.Practitioner summary: Consensus on appropriate napping strategies for shift work remains a challenge. This simulated night shift laboratory study sought to determine the effects of a 1-h self-selected nap opportunity relative to a normal shift set-up. The nap improved performance and decreased sleepiness, without affecting daytime sleep. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.
Circadian rhythms; Laboratory studies; napping; performance; Physiological strains; Potential benefits; Recovery periods; Shift work; Ergonomics; Fatigue of materials; Physical therapy; Sleep research; arousal; article; attention; circadian rhythm; critical flicker fusion; female; heart rate; human; male; neuropsychological test; perceptive threshold; psychomotor performance; reaction time; sleep; thermoregulation; work schedule; young adult; Arousal; Attention; Body Temperature Regulation; Circadian Rhythm; Female; Flicker Fusion; Heart Rate; Humans; Male; Neuropsychological Tests; Psychomotor Performance; Reaction Time; Sensory Thresholds; Sleep; Work Schedule Tolerance; Young Adult; Arousal; Attention; Body Temperature Regulation; Circadian Rhythm; Female; Flicker Fusion; Heart Rate; Humans; Male; Neuropsychological Tests; Psychomotor Performance; Reaction Time; Sensory Thresholds; Sleep; Work Schedule Tolerance; Young Adult
