Research on cervical muscle strength in air force pilots / 医用生物力学

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate neck muscular strength（NMS） of the air force pilots and its role in the circumstance of aerial dynamics. Method The tests were performed by using CME-1 Neck Muscle Training Machine with 149 pilots volunteered as test subjects. Each individual’s maximal isometric NMS was evaluated in the extension, flexion, left and right lateral bending directions within a single day. The NMS in each direction was tested for 10 times to choose the maximal peak value in each direction as the NMS for data analysis. The mean of overall peak value in each direction was calculated as the mean neck muscular strength (MNMS). The ratio(r) between MNMS and NMS was calculated to reflect the neck muscular endurance in pilots. Results The NMS in the flexion, extension, and left and right lateral bending directions was （132.0±42.2)N, （205.2±82.2)N, （174.3±76.4)N and （191.2±78.3)N respectively，the NMS in the extension or flexion direction was significantly different (P<0.001) compared with NMS in all the other directions，and the right NMS was significantly higher than the left NMS(P<0.001). The ratios between MNMS and NMS in the flexion, extension and left and right lateral bending directions were 74.24%,72.86%,72.75% and 68.72% respectively. Conclusions To Maximize the efficiency in flight performance and minimize neck injuries induced by +Gz, fighter pilots should be encouraged to perform more on land neck muscle strengthening exercises and improve their head positioning techniques during flight.