0199 Chronic Sleep Debt In Soldiers Is Exacerbated By Mission Training: An Assessment Of Subjective Sleep Characteristics

• Published in: Sleep (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2019-04, Vol.42 (Supplement_1), p.A81-A82
• Main Authors: Brown, Stephanie A T, Burke, Tina M, Mickleson, Carolyn A, Devine, Jaime K, Carlsson, Kajsa E, Choynowski, John J, Sowden, Walter, Ramsay, John W, Hussey, Erika K
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Military personnel; Sleep deprivation
• ISSN: 0161-8105; 1550-9109
• DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsz067.198

Introduction Military operations require vigilance and performance under stressful conditions while functioning with little sleep. Performance impairments (i.e., marksmanship, vigilance, executive function) have been linked with reduced sleep duration and sleep quality, as well as perceived sleepiness and fatigue. This research assessed changes in the Soldier subjective sleep profile when conducting a 72-hour military exercise during a stateside period between deployments. Methods Performance of forty-six Soldier volunteers [42 males (mean age 24.5±4.2)] was assessed during a company-wide mission exercise. Subjective sleep duration, quality, and sleepiness were collected two weeks prior to mission and immediately post-mission, utilizing a modified Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Results Sleep duration pre-mission (M=5.77 hours, SD=1.45) was significantly higher than post-mission (M=3.94 hours, SD=1.34) (p 5) pre-mission (M=7.85, SD=3.83) and ending with 98% “poor sleepers” post-mission (M=8.71, SD=2.45). Perceived sleepiness also significantly increased across the mission (p 10) (pre: M=10.61, SD=5.76; post: M=17.57, SD=7.48). Conclusion The time between deployments is intended as a recovery period, where Soldiers can recharge, reconnect, and train. However, even when stateside, Soldiers may be at risk for chronic sleep restriction and poor sleep quality leading to excessive daytime sleepiness even before participating in mission training and future deployment. Further investigation of potential influencing factors is warranted (i.e., Unit type, command climate, training regimes, work-life balance). Furthermore, platoon characteristics may influence factors leading to sleepiness during mission activities. Further analysis will explore performance degradations associated with daytime sleepiness and individual platoon differences, such as leadership, qualifications, and group cohesion. Support (If Any) Military Operational