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Sleep, Wellness, and Mood of Personnel Standing Watch on US Navy Information Warfare Watchfloors

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: This project aimed to improve the sleep, wellness, and mood of personnel standing watch on US Navy Information Warfare watchfloors. Data were collected from 82 participants on two US Navy watchfloors. Volunteers wore ŌURA rings and completed questionnaires at the beginning and end of the study. Our findings suggest that the 6-section/8-hour-shift watchbill is generally preferable to the 4-section/12-hour-shift watchbill. We developed general guidelines and recommendations for fatigue mitigation based on the data collected from the two watchfloors, the predicted effectiveness of the two watchbills calculated using the Sleep, Activity, Fatigue, and Task Effectiveness (SAFTE-FAST) model, and background literature on shiftwork. The recommendations for watchstanders focused on sleep hygiene practices, sleep environment, timing of sleep and naps, light management, the use of caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine, nutrition, and exercise.

Source: Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting

DOI: 10.1177/10711813241260299

Authors: Nita Lewis Shattuck, Panagiotis Matsangas, Christopher K. McClernon

Institution: Naval Postgraduate School

Language: English

Topic: Sleep and Work-Related Fatigue

Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Navy, Office of Naval Research