Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation

Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation

Insufficient sleep refers to not getting the recommended amount of sleep for optimal functioning, even if it's just slightly less than needed. Sleep insufficiency may occur due to lifestyle choices, such as staying up late for social events or work, resulting in routinely getting less sleep than required. For example, consistently sleeping 6 hours when the body needs 7-9 hours can lead to cumulative effects on health and well-being.
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...

Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep

Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep

Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...

Sleep-Wake Cycles

Sleep-Wake Cycles

Sleep is an essential physiological process vital to maintaining overall well-being. The reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons in the brainstem, regulates wakefulness and sleep. While it may seem passive, sleep consists of distinct cycles, each with its unique characteristics and functions. Two key sleep phases are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM).
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:

Management of Insomnia

Management of Insomnia

The sleep cycle, an integral part of human health, consists of several stages with distinct characteristics and functions. It begins with a transition from wakefulness to sleep, known as the light sleep phase, followed by the restorative deep sleep phase, essential for physical recovery and growth. The cycle concludes with the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase, characterized by high brain activity and vivid dreaming. Insomnia, a prevalent sleep disorder, involves difficulty falling asleep, staying...

Chronopharmacokinetics: Circadian Rhythms and Influence on Drug Response

Chronopharmacokinetics: Circadian Rhythms and Influence on Drug Response

Circadian rhythms are cyclic changes that are crucial in plasma drug concentrations. Various standard circadian parameters, including core body temperature, heart rate, and other cardiovascular factors, directly impact disease states and the therapeutic response to drug therapy.
The time of drug administration is an important factor to consider, as it can influence the toxic dose of a drug. For example, a study conducted by Prins et al. in 1997 examined the effects of the timing of...

Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops intermittently during sleep, often leading to significant health issues. Each episode can last from 10 to 20 seconds or more and is frequently accompanied by a brief arousal from sleep. This disturbance, largely unnoticed by the individual, can lead to severe daytime fatigue. Commonly, individuals seek help after being informed by their partners about loud snoring and noticeable breathing pauses during sleep.
The condition is more prevalent among...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Coming out of isolation: impacts of COVID-19 on physical activity, diet, mental well-being, and sleep over time.

Frontiers in psychology·2024

Same author

Science in the public process of ecosystem management: lessons from Hawaii, Southeast Asia, Africa and the US Mainland.

Journal of environmental management·2005

Same author

Public participation in life cycle assessment and risk assessment: a shared need.

Risk analysis : an official publication of the Society for Risk Analysis·2002

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 24, 2026

Collecting Sleep, Circadian, Fatigue, and Performance Data in Complex Operational Environments

Collecting Sleep, Circadian, Fatigue, and Performance Data in Complex Operational Environments

Published on: August 8, 2019

Firefighter Shift Schedules Affect Sleep Quality.

Joel Billings¹, Will Focht

¹Fire and Emergency Management Administration Graduate Program, Department of Political Science, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

|March 8, 2016

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Most firefighters experience poor sleep quality, with the 24on/48off shift schedule offering the best rest. Disrupted circadian rhythms from certain schedules negatively impact firefighter health and safety.

More Related Videos

Through-the-Wall Blood Sampling Method to Minimize Sleep Disruption in Clinical Settings

Through-the-Wall Blood Sampling Method to Minimize Sleep Disruption in Clinical Settings

Published on: June 13, 2025

Establishing a Device for Sleep Deprivation in Mice

Establishing a Device for Sleep Deprivation in Mice

Published on: September 22, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 24, 2026

Collecting Sleep, Circadian, Fatigue, and Performance Data in Complex Operational Environments

Collecting Sleep, Circadian, Fatigue, and Performance Data in Complex Operational Environments

Published on: August 8, 2019

Through-the-Wall Blood Sampling Method to Minimize Sleep Disruption in Clinical Settings

Through-the-Wall Blood Sampling Method to Minimize Sleep Disruption in Clinical Settings

Published on: June 13, 2025

Establishing a Device for Sleep Deprivation in Mice

Establishing a Device for Sleep Deprivation in Mice

Published on: September 22, 2023

Area of Science:

Occupational Health
Sleep Medicine
Emergency Services Research

Background:

Firefighter work schedules, particularly shift work, are known to impact health and well-being.
Previous research indicates a potential link between shift schedules and sleep disturbances in first responders.

Purpose of the Study:

To determine the prevalence and severity of sleep quality issues among firefighters.
To analyze how different departmental shift schedules influence firefighter sleep quality.

Main Methods:

Utilized the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to assess sleep quality.
Sampled 109 male career firefighters across six fire departments in the Southwestern US.
Compared sleep quality across three distinct shift schedules: 24 hours on/48 hours off, 48 hours on/96 hours off, and Kelly schedule.

Main Results:

A significant majority, 73% of firefighters, reported poor sleep quality.
The 24on/48off shift schedule was associated with the highest quality sleep.
The Kelly schedule was linked to the poorest sleep quality.
Firefighters holding second jobs reported substantially worse sleep quality.

Conclusions:

Shift schedules that significantly disrupt circadian rhythms are linked to diminished sleep quality in firefighters.
Poor sleep quality in firefighters can compromise emergency response effectiveness.
Disrupted sleep patterns pose increased health and safety risks for firefighters.