Interindividual Differences in the Flexibility of Human Temporal Organization: Pertinence to Jet Lag and Shiftwork

Abstract

Interindividual variability in the human temporal structure is seldom taken into account, especially in studies devoted to the effects of shiftwork and jet lag. The understated postulate is that humans can be treated as a pure strain species. This paper reviews some facts and concepts with special reference to interindividual changes in the rhythm period τ and the resulting dyschronism. The following points are addressed. (1) Subjects and methods (importance of longitudinal field studies on shift workers). (2) Criteria for tolerance to shiftwork and jet lag. (3) Interindividual differences and shiftwork problems (subject type; the association between good shiftwork tolerance and stable temporal structure; dychronism with xs differing from 24h and from variable to variable. (4) The genetic background of circadian dyschronism. The Dian-circadian genetic model of biological rhythms. It allows understanding of one's susceptibility to dyschronism, which was actually observed in ≠30% of subjects studied longitudinally. (5) Practical implications of interindividual differences (dissociate problems of passengers after a trans-meridian flight–who have to adjust their temporal structure to local time– from problems of shiftworkers–who need to prevent alteration of their temporal structure; the advantage for the latter of participating in a rapid rotation system rather than a weekly rotation; emphasis that the suitability of a given subject for a given shiftworking condition is likely to be estimated only after a trial span of time including longitudinal study of a set of rhythms). (Chronobiology International, 14(2), 99–113, 1997)

Key Words:

• Circadian rhythms
• Dyschronism
• Genetics of rhythms
• Jet lag
• Shiftwork