Knowledge of circadian rhythms has given researchers a better understanding of the adverse consequences that can occur as a result of their disruption (known as desynchronisation)
For instance night workers engaged in shiftwork experience period of reduced concentration around six in the morning meaning mistakes and accidents are more likely to happen (Boivin et al 1996)
Research has also suggested a relationship between shift work and poor health -shift workers are three times more likely to develop heart disease (Knutsson 2003) which may in part due to the stress of adjusting to different sleep/wake patterns and the lack of poor quality sleep during the day
thus, research into the sleep/wale cycle may have economic implications in terms of how to best manage worker productivity