Sleep and performance optimization in continuous operations: how to support self-management of performance in the SFG?

In the current project, we aim to target the issue of sleep and performance management within the SFG, where this has been identified as one of the most crucial human performance gaps to be managed. We will tackle this by 1/ identify a relevant set of crucial psychophysiological markers as outcome of sleep deprivation, fatigue and/or performance decrements –in line with the concept of “Duurzame Inzetbaarheid”- that may serve as a base for psychophysiological self-management in BE SFG soldiers, 2/ test the markers on their utility and, 3/ evaluate them at an individual level in partnership with the BE SFG. This set of markers is intended to form the base for refinement of later predictive models in order to develop a future application that could provide real-time assistance to individual operators or a deployed team to self-manage and schedule critical activities in the framework of continuous operations (i.e., sustained performance on task for up to 72 hours).

Our research unit (VIPER) has a longstanding experience in measuring cognitive performance in operational environments.

The project PERFOSOF - HFM/19-09 is financed under the DFR call.