Research Summaries

Back Informing Shipboard Readiness Metrics to Include Physical and Cognitive Fatigue Estimates

Fiscal Year 2014
Division Research & Sponsored Programs
Department Naval Research Program
Investigator(s) Shattuck, Nita L.
Sponsor NPS Naval Research Program (Navy)
Summary Based on what is known about human fatigue, stress levels, and physical and cognitive workloads, we NRC all limited in the quantity and quality of work that we can accomplish in a given period. However, these limitations have not been factored into the recent manning strategies of USN ships. Cost-savings efforts for these advanced warships have resulted in minimal manning solutions, leaving little room for Sailor fatigue or human error. This project will first conduct a comprehensive review of the literature regarding the relationships among physical fitness levels, health (and its converse, illness), obesity, shift work, and sleep. Additionally, a pre-study questionnaire has been designed to assess the prevalence of excessive daytime somnolence and physical injuries/physical complaints among USN crew members. These surveys will be administered in conjunction with the Naval PRT onboard multiple Naval Vessels to determine a point prevalence estimate of both sleep issues and physical injuries. From the information collected, we will begin to build a model of operational readiness for current and proposed Naval environments such as LCS and DDG-1000. In later stages of the study, physical therapy outcome, PRT scores, stress, and resilience will be collected along with sleep data and work rest schedules. Our initial operational readiness model will then be updated based on the results of the data collected to include adjustable manning levels, watchstanding schedules, and physical fitness of crewmembers.
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Data Publications, theses (not shown) and data repositories will be added to the portal record when information is available in FAIRS and brought back to the portal