ABSTRACT
Objective To test and evaluate the effect of neck muscular strength training for military pilots at different time durations based on a self-developed pilot neck muscle training device. Methods The neck muscular strength training device, CME-1, was used to train the military pilots and military smithery members for 2, 3 and 6 weeks, respectively. The isometric and changeable velocity and resistant (CVR) modes were performed and the neck muscular strength at those different time durations was measured to evaluate the training effect. Results For all 60 military pilots trained at different time durations, the average neck muscular strength and the mean value of peak impulse in 10 seconds in anteflexion, retroflexion, right/left lateroflexion were significantly improved after training (P0.05). For 11 military smithery members after 6 weeks’ training, both the average muscular strength and the mean value of peak impulse in 10 seconds in all directions were significantly enhanced (P<0.001), with the average muscular strength increased by 71.1％, 83.7％, 78.6％ and 75.2％ respectively, while the mean value of peak impulse in 10 seconds was increased by 136.9％, 138.5％, 114.1％ and 114.4％, respectively. Conclusions This study provides the physiological basis for establishing the military standards of neck muscular strength training for different fighter pilots, the proper method for training those pilots with low neck muscular strength, as well as the reference of neck muscular training duration and strength target for high performance aircrafts and carrier aircrafts.