Aircrew Conditioning Programme Impact on plus Gz Tolerance


Slungaard, Ellen ORCID: 0000-0002-7544-8876, Pollock, Ross D, Stevenson, Alec T, Green, Nicholas DC, Newham, Di J and Harridge, Stephen DR (2019) Aircrew Conditioning Programme Impact on plus Gz Tolerance. AEROSPACE MEDICINE AND HUMAN PERFORMANCE, 90 (9). pp. 764-773.

[img] Text
2019-Slungaard Pollock et al-ACP Impact on G Tolerance.pdf - Author Accepted Manuscript
Download (6MB) | Preview

Abstract

<b>INTRODUCTION:</b> Physical conditioning may improve aircrew performance during exposure to high +G<sub>z</sub> acceleration, although few studies have directly assessed this. The present study investigated the effects of a 12-wk Aircrew Conditioning Programme (ACP) on markers of G tolerance. The ACP comprises aerobic and muscle strengthening exercise performed twice weekly and targets improved fitness and reduced injury risk.<b>METHODS:</b> There were 36 UK Royal Air Force and Royal Navy aircrew who volunteered; 17 performed the ACP (Ex) and 19 acted as a control group (Con). Centrifuge testing was performed before and after the intervention. Relaxed G tolerance (RGT) and straining G tolerance (SGT), which had the addition of muscle tensing, were assessed. G endurance was also determined via repeated simulated air combat maneuvers (SACMs). During these centrifuge runs a number of physiological variables were recorded.<b>RESULTS:</b> During the G profile to determine RGT, neither RGT, HR, nor blood pressure responses were affected by the ACP. During SGT profiles, a lower HR at a given +G<sub>z</sub> (+5.5 G<sub>z</sub>) level following the ACP was observed (Ex: pre 146.0 ± 4.4, post 136.9 ± 5.6 bpm; Con: pre 148.0 ± 3.2, post 153.1 ± 3.3 bpm). BP was maintained and there was a tendency toward an improved SGT. The ACP increased the proportion of individuals completing the number of SACM profiles, although no meaningful differences were found between groups in other variables.<b>CONCLUSION:</b> Overall the ACP has no negative effect on RGT, reduced the physiological strain associated with a given level of +G<sub>z</sub> (during SGT), and tended to improve the ability to tolerate repeated G<sub>z</sub> exposure.<b>Slungaard E, Pollock RD, Stevenson AT, Green NDC, Newham DJ, Harridge SDR. <i>Aircrew conditioning programme impact on +Gz tolerance</i>. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2019; 90(9):764-773.</b>

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: exercise, acceleration, aircrew, G tolerance
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 04 Nov 2019 09:23
Last Modified: 19 Jan 2023 00:21
DOI: 10.3357/AMHP.5318.2019
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3060427
Dimensions
Altmetric
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)