AGE AND EXPERIENCE BASED NEUROCOGNITIVE PERFORMANCE OF SEAFARERS

Umut Taç ¹ , Leyla TAVACIOĞLU ² , PELIN BOLAT³

The main purpose of this study to assess the age-related cognitive decline rates and cognitive performances of the seafarers who belongs the different experience levels and age groups. ANAM4R computerized cognitive test batteries were applied to determine the cognitive competencies and performances of the seafarers. Results were examined separately for each test using descriptive tables, one-way ANOVA test and The Tukey post-hoc test. Significant differences were found among groups in terms of cognitive abilities (p<.05). In all tests, oceangoing masters have the lowest mean accuracy score and represent the highest risk group for the possibility of human induced errors occurrence due to cognitive impairment. A direct relationship between cognitive performance decline and aging was detected in all cognitive tests.

Keywords
Cognition, Seafarers, Neurocognitive Tests, Maritime, Cognitive Abilities,