Quality of Life, Sleep, and Health of Air Traffic Controllers With Rapid Counterclockwise Shift Rotation

Workplace Health Saf. 2016 Aug;64(8):377-84. doi: 10.1177/2165079916634710. Epub 2016 May 4.

Abstract

Rotating shiftwork is common for air traffic controllers and usually causes sleep deprivation, biological adaptations, and life changes for these workers. This study assessed quality of life, the sleep, and the health of 30 air traffic controllers employed at an international airport in Brazil. The objective was to identify health and quality of life concerns of these professionals. The results identified physical inactivity, overweight, excess body fat, low scores for physical and social relationships, and sleep deprivation for workers in all four workshifts. In conclusion, these workers are at risk for chronic non-transmittable diseases and compromised work performance, suggesting the need for more rest time before working nightshifts and work environments that stimulate physical activity and healthy diets.

Keywords: air traffic controller; nutrition; physical activity; shiftwork; sleep.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aviation*
  • Brazil
  • Exercise
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Diseases / prevention & control
  • Occupational Health
  • Quality of Life*
  • Risk Factors
  • Sleep / physiology
  • Sleep Deprivation / physiopathology*
  • Sleep Deprivation / psychology*
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Work Schedule Tolerance / physiology*
  • Work Schedule Tolerance / psychology*
  • Workload