Abstract
The ability of shift workers to estimate timer intervals of short duration was examined. The study included 22 shift workers and 10 diurnally working control subjects. A circadian rhythm in time estimates was documented in control subjects, but it was found to bed disrupted in shift workers. Spectral analysis revealed frequency or circadian component in time estimates to be lower among the shift workers. Furthermore, an interesting relationship was marked between time estimates and oral temperature in 4 control subjects and 6 shift workers in that the time of the closest estimation coincided with the peak time of their body temperature.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aschoff J 1985 On the perception of time during prolonged temporal isolation;Human Neurobiol 4 41–52
Chandrashekaran M K, Marimuthu G, Subbaraj R, Kumarasamy P, Ramkumar M S and Sripathi K 1991 Direct correlation between the circadian sleep-wakefulness rhythm and time estimation in humans under social and temporal isolation;J. Biosci. 16 97–101
Da PrinsJ, Cornelissen G and Malbecq W 1986 Statistical procedures in chronobiology and chronopharmacology;Annu. Rev. Chronopharmacol. 2 27–141
McCauley M E, Kennedy R S and Bittner A C Jr 1980 Development of performance evaluation test for environment research (PETER): Time Estimation:Percept. Motor Skills 51 655–665
Montare A 1985 Learning effects of knowledge of results upon time estimation;Percept. Motor Skills 60 871–877
Motohashi Y, Reinberg A, Levi F, Nougier J, Benoit O, Foret J and Bourdeleau P 1987 Axillary temperature: a circadian marker rhythm for shift workers:Ergonomicr 30 1235–1247
Nelson W, Tong Y L, Lee J K and Halberg F 1979 Methods for cosinor-rhythmometry;Chronobiologia 6 305–323
Reinberg A, Andlaucr P, De Prins J, Malbecq W, Vieux N and Bourdeleau P 1984 Desynchronization of oral temperature circadian rhythm and intolerance to shift work;Nature (London) 308 272–274
Reinberg A, Motohashi Y, Bourdeleau P, Andlauer P, Levi F and Bicakova-Rocher A 1988 Alteration of period and amplitude of circadian rhythms in shift workers; with special reference to temperature, right and left hand grip strength;Eur. J. Appl. Physical. 57 15–25
Reinberg A, Motohashi Y, Bourdelcau P, Touitou Y, Nouguier 1, Nouguier Jeanine, Levi F and Nicolai A 1989 Internal desynchronization of circadian rhythms and tolerance of shift work;Chronobiologia 16 21–34
Wever R 1979The circadian system ofman (New York: Springer-Verlag)
Weitzman E D, Czeisler C A and Moore-Ede M C 1979 Sleep-wake, neuroendocrine and body temperature circadian rhythms under entrained and non-entrained (free running) conditions in man; inBiological rhythms and their central mechanism (eds) M Suda, P Hayaishi and Nakagawa Amsterdam: Elsevier pp 199–227
Vercruyssen M, Hancock P A and Mihaly T 1989 Time estimation performance before, during and following physical activity;J. Human Ergol. 18 169–179
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Pati, A.K., Gupta, S. Time estimation circadian rhythm in shift workers and diurnally active humans. J Biosci 19, 325–330 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02716822
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02716822