Assessment of Muscular Fitness as a Predictor of Flight Duty Limitation
| Autor: | Tuomas Honkanen, Matti Mäntysaari, Tuomo Leino, Janne Avela, Heikki Kyröläinen |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 2018 |
| Předmět: |
030110 physiology
0301 basic medicine Adult Male medicine.medical_specialty rasitusvammat Physical fitness Acceleration Body Mass Index sotilaslentäjät 03 medical and health sciences 0302 clinical medicine Lumbar Return to Work medicine Aerobic exercise Humans sotilaslääketiede ta315 Selection (genetic algorithm) Finland Anthropometry business.industry Public Health Environmental and Occupational Health General Medicine 030210 environmental & occupational health Test (assessment) Pilots muscular fitness Military Personnel Push-up Physical Fitness flight duty Physical therapy Aerospace Medicine business lihaskunto Body mass index |
| Zdroj: | Military medicine. 183(11-12) |
| ISSN: | 1930-613X |
| Popis: | Introduction The high acceleration (Gz) exposure among military pilots flying fighter aircraft has been associated with an increased risk for cervical and lumbar disorders. It has been suggested that an adequate level of physical performance could reduce the risk of experiencing these disorders. The Finnish Air Force has for several years used aerobic (bicycle ergometer) and muscular fitness tests (battery of five tests) in the selection process of military pilot candidates in order to evaluate their physical fitness level. The aim of the study was to determine if these selection phase tests and anthropometry measures can predispose those individuals who might be at risk of developing severe spinal disorders leading to permanent flight duty limitations later during their military pilots' career. Materials and Methods The study population consisted of 23 pilots flying with Gz limitation (+2 Gz, +4 Gz or +5 Gz) due to spinal disorders and 50 experienced (+1,000 flight hours) symptomless controls flying actively in operative missions. Data obtained retrospectively for all subjects included anthropometry, physical (aerobic and muscular fitness) test results and self-reported physical activity levels at a pilot selection phase. Aerobic fitness was measured with a maximal ergometer test and muscular endurance was evaluated with a test battery (standing long jump, pull-ups, sit-ups, back extensions, and push-up tests). Results Fighter pilots flying without Gz limitation had significantly better mean (±SE) results in pull-up (14.4 ± 4.2 vs. 11.5 ± 2.0, p < 0.05) and back extension (71.1 ± 14.1 vs. 60.0 ± 12.2, p < 0.05) tests during the pilot selection when compared with the limited pilots. Similarly, the non-limited pilots had a better total muscular fitness test score (13.7 ± 1.7 vs. 12.4 ± 1.6, p < 0.05) during the pilot selection. They had also participated in significantly more competitive sports (54% vs. 22%, p < 0.05) at the time of selection when compared with pilots flying with Gz limitation due to spinal disorders. The aerobic fitness test results and anthropometric measures were not statistically different among the groups. Conclusions Higher levels of muscular fitness, particularly axial strength in military pilot selection may have a protective role for reducing spinal disorders which if developed, can often lead to limiting the availability of pilots for flight duty. The present findings also do not support the assumption that aerobic fitness above the required minimum level would protect pilots from developing spinal disorders and, therefore, from limiting flight duty. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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