Effects on Sustained Performance of 48 Hours of Continuous Work and Sleep Loss

The work efficiency of 10 subjects during a 48-hr period of continuous work and sleep loss was assessed using the synthetic-work technique. Performance during the period of stress was found to be significantly influenced by the circadian rhythm. Decrements first occurred after approximately 18 hr of continuous work, and performance decreased to an average of 82% of baseline during the early morning hours of the first night. Performance improved to about 90% of baseline during the daytime of the second day but decreased to approximately 67% during that night. All measures of performance recovered to baseline levels following a 24-hr period of rest and recovery.