Individual Differences in Aviator Performance and Psychophysiological Indices during Early Morning Simulated Flight
Abstract
Differences in circadian rhythms, known as chronotype, have been shown to influence performance in a variety of cognitive processes. To evaluate whether these differences also affect performance during helicopter flight, as well as influence the aviators psychophysiological state (electroencephalogram, respiration rate, heart rate, and heart rate variability), 32 rated Army aviators completed 2 flights in a Black Hawk simulator. Participants completed a series of maneuvers under high and low workload conditions. To assess effects of chronotype, the flights were completed at 0400 hours, with participants required to maintain at minimum six hours of sleep each of the three nights prior to the study, thus not directly manipulating fatigue. Flight performance and psychophysiological variables were recorded, and results suggest workload and experience frequently predicted flight performance measures, whereas individually based predictors, to include daytime sleepiness, previous nights sleep quality, and chronotype, predicted several psychophysiological measures.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 16, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1083469
Entities
People
- Amanda Hayes
- Amanda M. Kelley
- Bradley Erickson
- Colby Mathews
- Ian Curry
- Jared Basso
- Jim Chiaramonte
- Kathryn A. Feltman
- Kyle A. Bernhardt
- Melody King
Organizations
- United States Army Aeromedical Research Lab