Chronobiology of Individuals at Work

  • Thaismara Martins Universidade Estadual de Maringá - UEM
  • Célia Regina de Godoy Gomes Universidade Estadual de Maringá – UEM
Keywords: Attention, Chronobiology, Chronotype, Biological Rhythms.

Abstract

Chronobiology highlights the variability of biological functions throughout the day. In fact, individual differences exist in the circadian rhythm phase, of which the sleep-wake cycle is the most studied, with classifications such as diurnal or nocturnal people and intermediate ones. Current research identifies the chronotypes of 30 employees of Usaçúcar (São Tomé Sugar-Mill, in Rondon PR Brazil) and a work shift is proposed. Horne and Ostberg (1976) questionnaire, adapted by Cardinali, Golombeck and Rey (1992), identified the chronotypes. Sample showed that 6.7 of workers are diurnal; 43.3% are moderately diurnal; 36.7% are intermediate; 10% are moderately nocturnal and 3.3% nocturnal. The individuals’ self-evaluation shows that they are able to work in the current shift and showed good performance in alert level when submitted to the Pencil and Paper Cancellation Test. It was suggested to the management to take into account the above chronotypes with regard to the 24-hour sleep-wake cycle. In fact, the human organism responds differently during the different hours of the day and night and in certain moments be more disposed than in others.

Author Biographies

Thaismara Martins, Universidade Estadual de Maringá - UEM
Bióloga especialista em Fisiologia Humana pela Universidade Estadual de Maringá - UEM. E-mail: thaismara_martins@hotmail.com
Célia Regina de Godoy Gomes, Universidade Estadual de Maringá – UEM
Departamento de Ciências Morfológicas, área Anatomia
Published
2010-09-21
Section
Artigos Originais