Lack of Sleep for Flight Crews Increase Eating Activity, Essay Example

The experiment has two hypotheses which are Deprivation of sleep among flight attendants and flight crews increase eating activity and Caffeine and nicotine among flight crews increase eating activity. The Independent and dependent variables include prolonged schedules of duty, inadequate rest and sleep among the flight crews were the notable dependent variables in this study. Independent variables for this study included measurement of hormonal levels and secretion patters and assessment of salivary endocrine.

Participants in the study include flight attendants, airplane crews and cabin crew members will be considered as the participants in this study. The experimental and control group conditions will include the environmental conditions that affect the aircraft including the restriction of movement, monotonous tasks of vigilance, the physical activities of the flight crews, access to caffeine and nicotine, interesting conversations, excitement, hunger and thirst.

The subject groups will involve a representative sample of flight crews selected on the basis of two important demographic items. The first demographic item is the nature of operation considering network, low cost and regional. The second demographic item the seniority level of the flight crews with senior, junior and mid level flight crews in mind.

The possible results of the study indicate that the flight crews across divergent seniority and operation levels experienced increase eating activity as a result of sleep deprivation in the course of their duty. The most prevalent concern was the long period of time that they were required to attend to their duties without sufficient time to enjoy their meals while off duty. Most participants indicated a trend of eating during working hours while others indicated lack of food during layover as the greatest contributors to flight crews increase eating activity (Caldwell, 125). Most of the participants also indicated the need for high echelon of awareness at flight hours while others indicated the contribution of operational in addition to environmental factors as positive contributors.

Works cited

Caldwell JA, Asleep at the Throttle. US Air Force Research Laboratory