Definition of a responder: analysis of behavioral, cardiovascular, and endocrine responses to varied workload in air traffic controllers.

Abstract

Individual differences in behavioral, cardiovascular, and endocrine responses to varying workload among 381 air traffic controllers were assessed using random regression modeling. Although most men showed significant increases in behavioral arousal associated with increasing planes, there were major individual differences in response in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol. Approximately 20% to 25% of those studied had large increases in each of these domains, along with a smaller group showing inverse responses in heart rate and cortisol. There was also evidence of a smaller number of enhanced responders within the highest groups, who tended to have more missing values at higher levels of workload. There was convergence in the definition of responders using three statistical strategies: random regression, correlational analyses, and ANOVA. Response in one physiological/behavioral domain was essentially independent of response in another, supporting the conclusion of specificity, rather than a global tendency to respond to increasing work load.

Recognizing and Preventing Burnout among Orthopaedic Leaders

“…The effects of high stress manifest epidemiologically in this group; approximately 10% to 15% of ATCs report burnout and stress symptoms from work spillover into their personal lives [31]. In addition, cardiovascular problems, endocrine disorders, and hypertension have been linked to the stresses experienced by the members of this profession [16,26]. The orthopaedic profession and chairs can, either individually or collectively, benefit from similar review of the work and workload in their profession.…”

Cardiac data increase association between self-report and both expert ratings of task load and task performance in flight simulator tasks: An exploratory study

“…It is known that some individuals respond more sensitively to task load changes in self-report measures, others in specific physiological measures (Ming et al, 2004;Rose and Fogg, 1993;Sohn and Jo, 2003). The combined use of these measures may therefore be a preferable approach to assessing workload.…”

Autonomic nervous system and subjective ratings of strain in air-traffic control

“…In the field of psychophysiology, we brought new knowledge to the results of Fogg (1993), andBrookings et al (1996), as these data were also recorded during real work sessions. Relationships between workload and physiology established with simulated situations were also shown to occur in real life.…”