MUSCLE STRAIN DURING AERIAL COMBAT MANEUVERING EXERCISE

Background: Little is known about the in-flight muscular strain of fig hter pilots. Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to measure figh ter pilots' mean and peak muscular strain during aerial combat maneuve ring exercises. The results obtained were compared against existing er gonomic recommendations. Methods: Six pilots volunteered to serve as t est subjects. Their mean age (+/- SD) was 28.5 +/- 5 yr, height 181 +/ - 7 cm, and weight 75 +/- 10 kg. They performed one-to-one dog-fight e xercises in the morning and in the afternoon. During the flights, the pilots' electromyographic activity (EMG) was measured from the thigh, abdomen, back, and lateral neck. The mean and peak muscular strain for each muscle was calculated as the percentage of maximal voluntary con traction (%MVC). Results: The results showed that the mean muscular st rain was 5.2-19.8% MVC, the strain in the lateral neck being the highe st. Peak muscular strain (over 50% MVC) occurred almost only during th e encounters and usually in the lateral neck. Other muscles were subje cted to fewer peak strain episodes; most of these occurred in the back . At least one peak strain episode exceeding 100% MVC was recorded for every muscle studied. The highest peak strain 257% MVC, was measured in the lateral neck. This peak strain episode caused an injury to the lateral neck area, and the flight mission was discontinued. Conclusion s: The mean muscular strain measured in this study was rather low. How ever, the strain occurring in the lateral neck and the back exceeds th e ergonomic recommendations for static work. Especially in the lateral neck, and to some extent in the back, peak strain occurs frequently, in a magnitude that is well above the maximal voluntary contraction; i n these areas, the peak strain presents a potential risk of injury and negative health effects. The level and frequent occurrence of peak st rain episodes means that fighter pilots' muscular strength and muscula r endurance, especially in the neck and shoulder area, are subjected t o demands clearly higher than those of the average population.