VARIATIONS IN BODY TEMPERATURE AND IN PERFORMANCE UNDER DIFFERENT WATCH SCHEDULES
Abstract
The two-fold purpose of the experiment was to determine the ease with which Navy recruits adapted themselves to various watch schedules, some now in use, others experimental, as judged by their diurnal body temperature curves, and to discover the existence, if any, of a correlation between body temperature and alertness, as indicated by performance in several tests and in other aspects of behavior. Results obtained on 9 subjects indicated a variability in adjustment, the latter more complete the less the modified schedule of watches differed from the shore routine of activities. On the rotating (dogged) schedule of watches the pattern of the diurnal body temperature changes was the same as on a shore routine. Color naming, and to a lesser extent reaction time and Link Trainer performance, showed a diurnal variation, particularly on the dogged watch routine, the only one which permitted testing around the clock. Although the results were not always clear-cut, in a general way, the higher the body temperature, the better was the performance. Among other findings were the constancy of rank in performance, the existence of individual body temperature levels, variation in coffee consumption, and the interrelation among performance, body temperature, and coffee drinking. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 15, 1950
- Accession Number
- AD0667515
Entities
People
- Dudley P. Jackson
- Nathaniel Kleitman
Organizations
- Naval Medical Research Center