Risk of Developing Shift Work Sleep Disorders (SWSD) in Operational Environments at Sea and in Command Centers

 Carlos Comperatore, Ph.D.

Human Endurance Systems, LLC

Niantic, CT

April 2025

Project Objective

Contrast shift work schedules employed in USCG, NOAA, and US Space Force operational environments to determine the magnitude of shift work sleep disorder risk level exposure and implementation of mitigating strategies.

Methodology

The methodology involved collecting watch schedules employed at sea by NOAA and USCG and in command centers by the US Space Force during normal operations.

The analysis approach prescribed estimating the effect of watch schedules on the timing of daily bedtimes and wake-up times, potential effects on daily sleep duration, and the magnitude of the misalignment of circadian rhythms with the sleep/wake cycle. Tracking variations in daily bedtimes imposed by a change in watch schedules facilitated estimating the magnitude of the circadian misalignment.

On the other hand, considering agency implementation of personnel training, particularly directed on how to adapt circadian physiology and sleep/wake cycles after changes in reporting times, revealed various risk levels of developing SWSD.

This report is in development (042825) CC