Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Neck and Shoulder Muscle Fatigue in High Performance Aircrafts Pilots: Effects of a Training Program (Part 2)

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Advances in Social and Occupational Ergonomics (AHFE 2019)

Part of the book series: Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing ((AISC,volume 970))

Included in the following conference series:

Abstract

The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of a specific training on muscle fatigue by means of the analysis of the amplitude and spectral parameters of surface electromyography.

This report is a second part of our first paper on muscle fatigue in high performance pilots.

One experienced jet pilot was enrolled for this study. sEMG activity of the neck and shoulder muscles was recorded before and soon after a flight on European Fighter Aircraft. Afterwards, the pilot followed a specific neck and shoulder muscles training and he was recorded before and soon after a flight. Muscle activity was recorded bilaterally from Sternocleidomastoid, Upper and Middle Trapezius muscles. The temporal changes of amplitude and frequency of the sEMG signals were calculated on root mean square values, median frequency of the power spectrum and on spectral full width at half maximum.

The main finding of this study is that training strengthened the muscles of both the dominant and non-dominant side, as through the fatigue indexes we observed less fatigue after flight after the training.

It is possible to conclude that it would be important to incorporate neck and shoulder specific training in the list of operational duties. Moreover, by studying sEMG fatigue parameters, it is possible to obtain more detailed information about neck stress in order to deeper understand some of the causative factors for neck pain, so it would be possible to provide recommendations and tools to increase and improve the career longevity of jet pilots.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Vanderbeek, R.D.: Period prevalence of acute neck injury in U.S. Air Force pilots exposed to high G forces. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 59, 1176–1180 (1988)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Newman, D.G.: Gz-induced neck injuries in Royal Australian Air Force fighter pilots. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 68, 520–524 (1997)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Lecompte, J., Maisetti, O., Guillaume, A., Skalli, W., Portero, P.: Neck strength and EMG activity in fighter pilots with episodic neck pain. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 79(10), 947–952 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Ang, B., Linder, J., Harms-Ringdahl, K.: Neck strength and myoelectric fatigue in fighter and helicopter pilots with a history of neck pain. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 76(4), 375–380 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Sovelius, R., Oksa, J., Rintala, H., Siitonen, S.: Neck and back muscle loading in pilots flying high G(z) sorties with and without lumbar support. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 79(6), 616–619 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Hämäläinen, O., Visuri, T., Kuronen, P., Vanharanta, H.: Cervical disk bulges in fighter pilots. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 65(2), 144–146 (1994)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Hamalainen, O., Vanharanta, H.: Effect of Gz forces and head movements on cervical erector spinae muscle strain. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 63, 709–716 (1992)

    Google Scholar 

  8. Coakwell, M.R., Bloswick, D.S., Moser, J.R.: High-risk head and neck movements at high g and interventions to reduce associated neck injury. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 75, 68–80 (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Albano, J.J., Stanford, J.B.: Prevention of minor neck injuries in F-16 pilots. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 69, 1193–1199 (1998)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Burton, R.R., Travis, T.W.: Prevention of minor neck injuries in F-16 pilots. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 70(7), 720 (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Drew Sr., W.E.: Spinal symptoms in aviators and their relationship to G-exposure and aircraft seating angle. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 71(1), 22–30 (2000)

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  12. Newman, D.G.: Head positioning for high +Gz loads: an analysis of the techniques used by F/A-18 pilots. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 68(8), 732–735 (1997)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Harrison, M.F., Forde, K.A., Albert, W.J., Croll, J.C., Neary, J.P.: Posture and helmet load influences on neck muscle activation. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 87, 48–53 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Burton, R.: Cervical spinal injury from repeated exposures to sustained acceleration. Neuilly-sur-Seine, Cedex, France: NATO RTO-TR-4; AC/323(HFM)TP/9 (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  15. Hamalainen, O., Toivakka-Hamalainen, S.K., Kuronen, P.: +Gz associated stenosis of the cervical spinal canal in fighter pilots. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 70, 330–334 (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  16. van Dijke, G.A.H., Snijders, C.J., Roosch, E.R., Burgers, P.I.: Analysis of biomechanical and ergonomic aspects of the cervical spine in F-16 flightsituations. J Biomech. 26, 1017–1025 (1993)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Verde, P., Trivelloni, P., Angelino, G., Morgagni, F., Tomao, E.: Neck pain in F-16 vs. Typhoon fighter pilots. Aerosp. Med. Hum. Perform. 86, 402–406 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Ang, B.O., Kristoffersson, M.: Neck muscle activity in fighter pilots wearing night-vision equipment during simulated flight. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 84(2), 125–133 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Draicchio, F., Chini, G., Silvetti, A., Vitalone, R., Lucertini, E., Lucertini, M.: Neck and shoulder muscle fatigue in high performance aircrafts pilots: a case study. In: Stanton, N. (ed.) Advances in Human Aspects of Transportation, AHFE 2018, pp. 40–49 (2018)

    Google Scholar 

  20. Barbero, M., Merletti, R., Rainoldi, A.: Atlas of Muscle Innervation Zones: Understanding Surface Electromyography and Its Applications. Springer, New York (2012)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  21. Merletti, R., Botter, A., Troiano, A., Merlo, E., Minetto, M.A.: Technology and instrumentation for detection and conditioning of the surface electromyographic signal: state of the art. Clin. Biomech. (Bristol, Avon) 24, 122–134 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Dimitrova, N.A., Dimitrov, G.V.: Interpretation of EMG changes with fatigue: facts, pitfalls, and fallacies. J. Electromyogr. Kinesiol. 13(1), 13–36 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Corlett, E.N.: Static muscle loading and the evaluation of posture (Chap. 16). In: Wilson, J.R., Corlett, N. (eds.) Evaluation of Human Work, 3rd edn, pp. 453–496. Taylor and Francis Group, Boca Raton (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  24. Dibblee, J., Worthy, P., Farrell, P., Hetzler, M., Reid, S., Stevenson, J., Fischer, S.: Evaluating a prototype device designed to alleviate night vision goggle induced neck strain among military personnel. Ergonomics 58, 2067–2077 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Salmon, D.M., Harrison, M.F., Neary, J.P.: Neck pain in military helicopter aircrew and the role of exercise therapy. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 82, 978–987 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Wickes, S.J., Greeves, J.: Epidemiology of flight-related neck pain in Royal Air Force (RAF) aircrew. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 76, 298 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  27. Merletti, R., Parker, P.J.: Electromyography: Physiology, Engineering, and Non-invasive Applications. Wiley–IEEE Press, New York (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  28. Hermens, H.J., Freriks, B.: European Recommendations for Surface Electromyography: Results of the SENIAM Project. Roessingh Research and Development, Enschede (1999)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Paper edited by Lucia Falco.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. DIMEILA, INAIL Research Area, Monte Porzio Catone, Rome, Italy

    Giorgia Chini, Alessio Silvetti & Francesco Draicchio

  2. Experimental Flight Center, Aerospace Medicine Department, Pratica di Mare, Rome, Italy

    Roberto Vitalone, Valeria Di Muzio & Marco Lucertini

  3. Sapienza, University of Rome, Rome, Italy

    Elena Lucertini

Authors
  1. Giorgia Chini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Alessio Silvetti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Roberto Vitalone
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Valeria Di Muzio
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Marco Lucertini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Elena Lucertini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Francesco Draicchio
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Giorgia Chini .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands

    Richard H.M. Goossens

  2. Okayama University, Okayama, Japan

    Atsuo Murata

Appendix

Appendix

Tables

Table 1. Task run order before the flight. Abbreviations used: C40 = isometric contraction at 40% of the isometric maximal voluntary contraction; C60 = isometric contraction at 60% of the isometric maximal voluntary contraction; iMVC = isometric maximal voluntary contraction; SCM = sternocleidomastoid; MT = middle trapezius; UT = upper trapezius.
Full size table
Table 2. Task run order after the flight. Abbreviations used: C40 = isometric contraction at 40% of the isometric maximal voluntary contraction; C60 = isometric contraction at 60% of the isometric maximal voluntary contraction; SCM = sternocleidomastoid; MT = middle trapezius; UT = upper trapezius.
Full size table
Table 3. Difference after and before the flight for each index (delta), both before (pre) and after the training (post). Abbreviations used: C40 = isometric contraction at 40% of the isometric maximal voluntary contraction; C60 = isometric contraction at 60% of the isometric maximal voluntary contraction; SCM = sternocleidomastoid; MT = middle trapezius; UT = upper trapezius.
Full size table
Table 4. Mean values of the maximum force value recorded with the dynamometer during the iMVC, for each investigated muscle before and after the training. Abbreviations used: iMVC = isometric maximal voluntary contraction; SCM = sternocleidomastoid; MT = middle trapezius; UT = upper trapezius.
Full size table

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Chini, G. et al. (2020). Neck and Shoulder Muscle Fatigue in High Performance Aircrafts Pilots: Effects of a Training Program (Part 2). In: Goossens, R., Murata, A. (eds) Advances in Social and Occupational Ergonomics. AHFE 2019. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 970. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-20145-6_43

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-20145-6_43

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-20144-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-20145-6

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation