Circadian Rhythm Phase Locking for Traveling Special Forces Operators: Using Light Exposure to Maintain Time Zone Entrainment
Abstract
Special Operations Forces (SOF) must be prepared to deploy and perform complex operations during times that are out of sync with their circadian rhythms, which may lead to dangerous or costly errors. The present study investigated whether performance deficits can be reduced by locking operators to a circadian phase through the use of controlled light exposures. Eleven male subjects from active duty SOF commands were flown from Guam (UTC 10:00) to Troy, NY (UTC -05:00; 9 hours) while wearing blue-light goggles and blue-blocking, orange-tinted glasses in a carefully-prescribed schedule designed to maintain entrainment to the desired circadian time (UTC 10:00). Biochemical indices (dim-light melatonin onset) showed that no change in circadian phase was detected after approximately 2.5 days of travel across 9 time zones, indicating that circadian rhythms were successfully locked. Similarly, no change in performance on cognitive assessments was detected pre- and post- travel for any assessed metric. This provides preliminary evidence that judicious control of light exposure can be used to successfully phase lock SOF.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 16, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1054520
Entities
People
- Barbara Plitnick
- Jeff Dyche
- Katherine Couturier
- Mariana Figueiro
- Sarah Chabal
- Shawn Soutiere
Organizations
- Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory