Significance statement
fatigue, Fatigue
ADVERSE EFFECTS
Fatigue remains an important safety risk in aviation. Stimulants, like modafinil and
caffeine, counteract fatigue’s adverse effects on vigilance and performance, and
each has its own characteristics and optimal timeframe. Stimulants may be of
particular importance in situations where pilots are already fatigued, but
operational necessity requires them to continue their mission. Aviation is not the
only industry in which peak performance is demanded during night-time or after
periods of sleep deprivation. Therefore, it is paramount to better understand these
stimulants in order to select the optimal stimulant for each situation. This may
improve safety not only in aviation, but also in other fields, such as healthcare
and logistics.