Researcher:
This two-year study is investigating temporal patterns of human activity levels in the Antarctic. Specifically, it examines variations in human activation that may be associated with 24-hour daylight and 24-hour darkness at Scott Base, in the Ross Sea Region. This activation is measured in four domains (physiological, affective, social, and behavioural), using summer and winter support personnel as participants.
The results will shed greater light on trends in human activity levels over the course of a polar deployment, and will specifically provide a much-needed, objective comparison of the amount of physical and social activity that takes place in summer and winter. It is also expected that the results will have strong implications for the management and well-being of polar crews.