Abstract
Introduction: A fundamental difference in the cardiovascular response to acceleration between a group of fighter pilots (FP) and a group of non-pilots (NP) has been demonstrated previously. This study investigated the longitudinal effects of repetitive occupational +Gz exposure on the cardiovascular response to acceleration. Methods: There were 6 FP and 6 NP subjects who underwent rapid +75° head-up tilt (HUT) on two separate occasions. The FP group were tested after a non-flying period of 5 wk (Test 1), and tested again after a period of repetitive exposure to high +Gz missions (Test 2). The NP group did not fly at all between Test 1 and Test 2. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), stroke volume (SV), and total peripheral resistance (TPR) were all determined non-invasively. SV was determined using impedance cardiography and calculated via the Kubicek equation. For each variable, resting values and the response to tilt for both HUT tests within and between each group were compared. Results: In the FP group, resting MAP was higher (86 mmHg) in Test 2 compared with Test 1 (78 mmHg). Between groups, FP resting MAP was only different from the NP resting MAP in Test 2. The FP HR response to HUT increased significantly between the two tests. Conclusions: These findings suggest a +Gz-induced cardiovascular training effect in the FP group. Repetitive exposure to +Gz results in an increased resting MAP and an elevated HR response to tilt, which may provide benefits to operational fighter pilots.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 774-778 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine |
| Volume | 79 |
| Issue number | 8 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Aug 2008 |
Keywords
- Acceleration
- Adaptation
- Baroreflexes
- Blood pressure
- Gravity
Cite this
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Cardiovascular training effects in fighter pilots induced by occupational high G exposure. / Newman, David G.; Callister, Robin.
In: Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine, Vol. 79, No. 8, 01.08.2008, p. 774-778.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - Cardiovascular training effects in fighter pilots induced by occupational high G exposure
AU - Newman, David G.
AU - Callister, Robin
PY - 2008/8/1
Y1 - 2008/8/1
N2 - Introduction: A fundamental difference in the cardiovascular response to acceleration between a group of fighter pilots (FP) and a group of non-pilots (NP) has been demonstrated previously. This study investigated the longitudinal effects of repetitive occupational +Gz exposure on the cardiovascular response to acceleration. Methods: There were 6 FP and 6 NP subjects who underwent rapid +75° head-up tilt (HUT) on two separate occasions. The FP group were tested after a non-flying period of 5 wk (Test 1), and tested again after a period of repetitive exposure to high +Gz missions (Test 2). The NP group did not fly at all between Test 1 and Test 2. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), stroke volume (SV), and total peripheral resistance (TPR) were all determined non-invasively. SV was determined using impedance cardiography and calculated via the Kubicek equation. For each variable, resting values and the response to tilt for both HUT tests within and between each group were compared. Results: In the FP group, resting MAP was higher (86 mmHg) in Test 2 compared with Test 1 (78 mmHg). Between groups, FP resting MAP was only different from the NP resting MAP in Test 2. The FP HR response to HUT increased significantly between the two tests. Conclusions: These findings suggest a +Gz-induced cardiovascular training effect in the FP group. Repetitive exposure to +Gz results in an increased resting MAP and an elevated HR response to tilt, which may provide benefits to operational fighter pilots.
AB - Introduction: A fundamental difference in the cardiovascular response to acceleration between a group of fighter pilots (FP) and a group of non-pilots (NP) has been demonstrated previously. This study investigated the longitudinal effects of repetitive occupational +Gz exposure on the cardiovascular response to acceleration. Methods: There were 6 FP and 6 NP subjects who underwent rapid +75° head-up tilt (HUT) on two separate occasions. The FP group were tested after a non-flying period of 5 wk (Test 1), and tested again after a period of repetitive exposure to high +Gz missions (Test 2). The NP group did not fly at all between Test 1 and Test 2. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), stroke volume (SV), and total peripheral resistance (TPR) were all determined non-invasively. SV was determined using impedance cardiography and calculated via the Kubicek equation. For each variable, resting values and the response to tilt for both HUT tests within and between each group were compared. Results: In the FP group, resting MAP was higher (86 mmHg) in Test 2 compared with Test 1 (78 mmHg). Between groups, FP resting MAP was only different from the NP resting MAP in Test 2. The FP HR response to HUT increased significantly between the two tests. Conclusions: These findings suggest a +Gz-induced cardiovascular training effect in the FP group. Repetitive exposure to +Gz results in an increased resting MAP and an elevated HR response to tilt, which may provide benefits to operational fighter pilots.
KW - Acceleration
KW - Adaptation
KW - Baroreflexes
KW - Blood pressure
KW - Gravity
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=48649089969&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3357/ASEM.1575.2008
DO - 10.3357/ASEM.1575.2008
M3 - Article
VL - 79
SP - 774
EP - 778
JO - Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine
JF - Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine
SN - 0095-6562
IS - 8
ER -