Some peculiarities of the physiological validity of shift work schedules for the crews of floating oil drilling platforms.

Observations of the physiological status changes in the crews of floating oil drilling platforms during 7-day and 15-day shifts revealed that in subjects working the two shift schedules, the pattern of changes in the parameters of the central nervous system, circulation, muscle strength and endurance during the first 7 days corresponded to a physiological response to experienced challenge. In those working a 15-day schedule, the differences between the current and original status of the investigated physiological functions started to increase from day nine onwards, reaching a maximum on day fifteen. The alterations were most pronounced in subjects exposed predominantly to psychoemotional challenges during their labour.