Effect of shift work on the circadian dynamics of body temperature
Shchukin, A.I.
Kosmicheskaia Biologiia i Aviakosmicheskaia Meditsina 17(4): 72-75
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0321-5040 PMID: 6620961 Document Number: 207270
Two groups of building and manufacturing workers--men of 19-20 years old with a work record of 1 year--were examined. The test subjects of the first group (10 subjects) worked throughout the year during the morning shift only, and the test subjects of the second group (5 subjects) during two shifts (one week--morning shift, another--evening shift). The morning shift was from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. and the evening shift from 5.00 p.m. to 1.00 a.m. The test subjects were examined as follows: 1st group subjects once, and 2nd group subjects twice--the first time after one week of the morning shift and the second time after one week of the evening shift. Diurnal variations in the rectal, sublingual and axillary temperatures were recorded continuously, beginning with 7.00 a.m. at 2 h intervals. During the two-shift work the shape of diurnal curves of body temperatures depended on the preceding shift; therefore, they showed rises at certain working hours. The morning-to-evening shift transition was accompanied by an increase in the amplitude of the daily rhythm of the three temperatures (on an average by 0.21 degrees C; P less than 0.05 after White). Unlike the one-shift work, the two-shift work was characterized by a change in the daily temperature minima to the right by 2-4 h. The amplitude and phase changes are viewed as a result of the stressogenic effect of the shift work.