Analysis of Self-Reported Sleep Patterns in a Sample of US Navy Submariners Using Nonparametric Statistics
Abstract
Fatigue contributes to increased accidents and mishaps and reductions in human performance. Inadequacies in the quality and quantity of sleep amongst US Navy submariners can have detrimental effects on command and control functions, and can degrade overall human performance. The purpose of this study is to gain insight into the sleeping habits of US Navy submariners. Using data supplied by the Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory, this study evaluates what a sub - sample of this population think about their sleep habits and will determine if there are differences in the reported amount of sleep between sailors in four different operational environments: 1) at sea, 2) in port, 3) on shore duty, and 4) on leave. The statistical analysis showed that there are discernable differences in the quality and quantity of sleep onboard US submarines. There is a positive correlation between the amount of sleep obtained and the desired amount of sleep to function at every operational condition. Of the four operational conditions evaluated, the at sea' condition is the most different from all other conditions. Submariners reported getting less sleep while at sea' than other conditions. Finally, there is a positive correlation between the amounts of sleep obtained (both total sleep and uninterrupted sleep) and the desired amounts of sleep needed to function in every operational condition leading to the inference that subjects who report needing more sleep do indeed get more sleep. When in the at sea' condition, this correlation was much weaker indicating that subjects have much less control over the amount of sleep they get when deployed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA397301
Entities
People
- Simonia R. Blassingame
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School