FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute

Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-65/29

Title and Subtitle: Phase shifts of the human circadian system and performance deficit during the periods of transition: II, West-East flight.

Report Date: December 1965

Authors: Hauty GT, Adams T.

Abstract: At periodic intervals throughout the biological day, biomedical assessments were made for a week prior to jet flight to Rome, for 12 days at Rome, and for a week following return to Oklahoma City. A primary shift of circadian periodicity was manifested by physiological functions--rectal temperature, heart rate, etc. Increase in fatigue occurred during the primary period of transition and following return, but psychological performance was not impaired during either period. Duration of the fatigue was shorter than the time lag of the physiological phase shifts.

Key Words: biological rhythms, aviation medicine, performance (human), flight, fatigue (physiology), medical examination, medical research.

No. of Pages: 12