Prevalence and Potential Risk Factors for Occupational Low Back Pain Among Male Military Pilots: A Study Based on Questionnaire and Physical Function Assessment

Objectives: Low back pain (LBP) has negative implications for the military's combat effectiveness. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors of LBP among pilots through a questionnaire and physical function assessments.Methods: Data on the demographic and occupational characteristics, health habits, physical activity, and musculoskeletal injuries of 217 male pilots (114 fighter, 48 helicopter, and 55 transport pilots) were collected using a self-reported questionnaire and physical function assessments.Results: LBP prevalence was 37.8% in the total cohort and 36.0, 45.8, and 34.5% among fighter, helicopter, and transport pilots, respectively. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that the risk factors significantly associated with LBP were neck pain [odds ratio (OR): 3.559, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.827–6.934], transversus abdominis activation (OR: 0.346, 95% CI: 0.172–0.698), and hip external rotator strength (OR: 0.001, 95% CI: 0.000–0.563) in the total cohort; neck pain (OR: 3.586, 95% CI: 1.365–9.418), transversus abdominis activation (OR: 0.268, 95% CI: 0.094–0.765), hip external rotator strength (OR: 0.000, 95% CI: 0.000–0.949), and weekly flying hours (OR: 3.889, 95% CI: 1.490–10.149) in fighter pilots; irregular strength training (OR: 0.036, 95% CI: 0.003–0.507) and hip external rotator strength (OR: 0.000, 95% CI: 0.000–0.042) in helicopter pilots; and neck pain (OR: 6.417, 95% CI: 1.424–28.909) in transport pilots.Conclusions: High volume flight schedules and weak core muscle functions have significant negative effects on pilots' back health. LBP is commonly associated with high weekly flying hours, worsening neck pain, transversus abdominis insufficient activation, and reduced hip extensor/rotator strength. Risk factors vary among pilots of different aircraft. Thus, specific core muscle training would be especially important for military pilots.

Implementation of the digital training concept in the basic flight training in the Serbian Military Academy

Introduction/purpose: The paper provides a review of recent research in the field of digital training applied in the Serbian Military Academy flight training. Flight training represents the foundation of successful education of military pilots. Its division is based on the environment and a phase of realization. The main part and the core of successful flight training is basic flight training. This training phase has experienced significant changes with the introduction of the Technically Advanced aircraft (TAA) which is characterized by a high degree of digitalization not only of the cockpit but also of other aircraft systems. Consequently, a different methodological approach to training is needed, including a digital training concept. The paper shows the achievements and certain solutions based on some elements of digital training concepts used in the basic flight training at the Serbian Military Academy. Methods: The scientific approach is used in the evaluation of aircraft cockpit digitalization and in the implementation of a new training concept in the basic flight training in the Serbian Military Academy. Results: Based on the methodological analysis used, the importance and the values of the digital training concept in basic flight training are shown. Conclusion: Although the digital training concept is not mandatory in the existing flight training model in the Serbian Military Academy, it proves to be a valuable asset. Its potential is significant and, to a certain extent, it can change the nature of basic flight training. Due to digital training, cadets can fly more safely and their flying skills are acquired faster. In accordance with new modern aircraft acquisition in the Serbian Air Force, every aspect of the digital training concept has to be carefully considered, especially in the basic flight training phase, including conversion to new aircraft types.

Command-methodological competence of cadets-military pilots as a factor of flight safety

The military professional training of cadets-military pilots in a military aviation university is conditioned by the trends in the development of military education, its prompt response to the personnel needs of the troops. Aviation units need military pilots who are ready to fulfill the official duties of crew commanders, to solve the urgent task of ensuring flight safety. Training of flight personnel for military aviation does not fully take into account the need to form cadets' competencies as an aviation commander and teacher, which will contribute to ensuring flight safety and increasing the combat potential of aviation units and subunits. The article deals with the problem of flight safety as a factor affecting the national security of Russia, paying attention to the causes of accidents and pilot errors. In the course of the study, it was proved that the military-professional activity of cadets-military pilots is the process of solving professional tasks that ensure the combat readiness of aviation units while observing flight safety conditions. Based on the content analysis of the command and methodological professional tasks based on the activity approach, the leading role of the command-methodological activity has been established. The functional approach and the principle of identification made it possible to identify the functions of the leading command-methodological activity (military flight training and educational, organizational and managerial). Arguments are given regarding the development of cadets not only a set of abilities for command-methodological activity, but also professionally important qualities that integrate command-methodological competence. The structure of competence (motivational-value, cognitive, activity components) is determined taking into account the specifics (leading type of activity) and features (a set of command and methodological professional tasks) of military professional activity. The criteria for the formation of the components of the command-methodical competence (professional purposefulness, intellectual potential, professional responsibility) have been identified. The methodological basis of the pedagogical system for the formation of the command-methodical competence of cadets-military pilots was formed by the system-structural, personality-activity, functional, modular, adaptive, technological and competence-based approaches. The results of the experimental work carried out in the branch of Military Educational-Research Centre of Air Force Air Force Academy in Syzran confirmed the dependence of the cadets' readiness for flight safety activities on the formation of command-methodological competence.

Transformation of psychophysiological characteristics in practically healthy and patients with hypertension of the I stage military pilots. Message II. Hidden factors that affect the formation of the ability of pilots with different health conditions

Annotation. The article is devoted to the study of the peculiarities of the transformation of professionally important psychophysiological qualities of military pilots who are practically healthy and patients with stage I hypertension. The article highlights the hidden factors that contribute to the performance of a military pilot. These factors make it possible to explain the peculiarities of the mechanisms of organization of working capacity in practically healthy and patients with hypertension and stage I military pilots. Special decision-making rules have been developed, which make it possible to state that even small changes in the state of health that occur during the development of stage I hypertension are appropriately reflected in the level of psychophysiological functions on the basis of which it is possible to distinguish with a probability of 77.5%. The degree of connection between the state of health of military pilots and the level of their psychophysiological characteristics was assessed. Recommendations for taking into account cognitive changes in pilots of patients with stage I hypertension have been developed. It is established that stage I hypertension affects the structure of correlations of psychophysiological functions of the body, which shows the difference in the mechanisms of regulation of these functions in the development of the disease. It is shown that even practically healthy military pilots have different levels of mental capacity and can show their psychophysiological qualities in different ways, especially in extreme conditions. In addition, it was found that hypertension makes about a third of the surveyed sick pilots more active, which, in turn, increases the physiological cost of professional activities, to reduce which requires periodic treatment and prevention and rehabilitation measures.

Characteristics of the psychoemotional status of different categories of flight persons

Annotation. An important component of psychophysiological support of professional activity of flight crew is the diagnosis of their psychoemotional status. That is why the aim of the work was to identify the features of the psycho-emotional state of military and civilian pilots by comparative analysis of the results of assessing their personal qualities. For this purpose, psychological methods of research of semantic basic attitudes, responsibility and honesty are used. The survey covered 200 civilian and 100 military pilots. Statistical analysis of the results was performed using methods of descriptive statistics, implemented using the statistical package MS Exel. It is established that in terms of verbal and emotional dependence, dependence on achievements, demanding and responsible for themselves, all pilots have an adequate level of development. However, in terms of demanding others, only military pilots have adequate personality development. According to the characteristics of responsibility, its level is expressed inherent in civilian pilots, while the military have a situational manifestation. Assessing the processes of planning, organizing and performing professional duties (integrity) revealed that military pilots have a low self-esteem of their abilities, they are quite lazy, insecure. They are driven by spontaneity in making important decisions. Civilian pilots have a much higher level of self-esteem, confidence, concentration and ability to solve life’s problems. They are more careful and prudent when making responsible decisions. They clearly show a sense of moral and professional duty. Thus, it can be concluded that the identified features of the distribution of military and civilian pilots according to the level of development of personal qualities are primarily related to certain features of the nature of work and due to the peculiarities of military service. This situation requires the introduction of psychological methods for assessing the psycho-emotional state of flight crew during the implementation of psychophysiological support.

Strategic directions of implementing a system of psychophysiological support of professional activity of military pilots

To date, the state aviation of Ukraine has an urgent problem of improving the existing system of medical support for flights by introducing measures of psychophysiological support for improving the professional health of military pilots, increasing the duration of their professional longevity and ensuring the safety of flights. That is why, the purpose of our research was to offer a list of strategic directions of scientific substantiation and development of a conceptual model of a system of measures for psychophysiological support of professional activities of military pilots based on an analysis of the problems of its implementation in the state aviation of Ukraine. For this, the methods of analysis and synthesis, generalization, induction and deduction, complex and system analysis were used. As a result of the research, it was found that the strategy for introducing a system of measures for psychophysiological support of the professional activities of military pilots should be perceived as a process of improving the existing system of medical support for flights of state aviation in Ukraine on the basis of defining qualitatively new goals and objectives of its functioning, harmonizing internal capabilities with the conditions of the professional environment, development of a set of measures to improve its reliability and efficiency in the long term. From these points of view, the systematic approach to determining the strategic directions of implementation of the said system should be based on the complex of organizational, regulatory, information-analytical, personnel and technological problems. To solve them, it is necessary to conduct research on health assessment of different categories of military pilots, hygienic assessment of conditions and features of their professional activity, selection of a set of informative psychophysiological characteristics and methods of their evaluation, development of mechanisms and criteria for access to flights, regulatory, legal, personnel and organizational bases of functioning of system of measures of psychophysiological support of professional activity of military pilots.

Permanent Medical Grounding in Royal Canadian Air Force Pilots (20082017)

BACKGROUND: The aim of this retrospective registry study was to review the medical causes of RCAF pilot permanent grounding during the period 20082017 and to compare our findings to the previous study of 19781987 to determine if disease patterns had changed.METHODS: Material was obtained from the RCAF 1 Canadian Air Division Surgeons' medical registry of military pilots. Anonymized data for permanently grounded pilots were classified by medical diagnosis, age, and training status.RESULTS: During the period 20082017, there were a total of 162 pilots permanently grounded, of which 110 were trained and 52 untrained.DISCUSSION: In comparison to the 1991 study, there has been a decrease in permanent groundings due cardiovascular disease, but an increase due to mental health conditions, musculoskeletal issues, and motion sickness.Haworth D, Gray G, Zoltenko R, Bashirzadeh AJ. Permanent medical grounding in Royal Canadian Air Force pilots (20082017). Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2021; 92(11): 913-918.

Flight screening of military pilots in Poland

This article diagnoses and evaluates the process of selecting and preparing candidates for military pilots in Poland. The presented changes in the screening training system are to help with understanding the principles of organizing an effective system of recruitment and selection of military pilots at present. It also indicates directions for improvement. The organization of initial flight screening contributes to improving the efficiency of flight training and can serve as a model for use by flight training systems in other countries. The purpose of the article is to diagnose and evaluate recruitment and selection of candidates for military pilots in Polish Armed Forces. The problem that the author addresses is expressed in the following question: in what directions should the current solutions in the selection and training of candidates for military pilots, be improved in order to reduce the attrition rate at subsequent stages of flight training in the future? The research has been conducted at the Military University of Aviation using case study methods. The theoretical research methods, such as analysis and synthesis of information contained in literature and source materials, conclusions and comparison were used to develop the article. In order to confirm the conclusions drawn with the use of theoretical methods, an empirical method was used, which consisted in examining the opinions with the use of expert interviews. Experts were selected from the group of commanders of training units and military pilots involved in selection training, who had an impact on the applicable aviation training and recruitment system in Polish Armed Forces. The results shows main directions of military pilots initial flight screening improvement.

COMPARATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RESULTS OF ASSESSMENT OF PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS OF DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF MILITARY PILOTS

The aim of the study was to carry out a comparative analysis of the values and structure of correlation relationships of psychophysiological function of different categories of military pilots (112 – supersonic, 109 – transport and 142 – helicopter aircraft). The analysis of the obtained results was carried out according to the indicators of personified characteristics, neurodynamic and psychomotor functions. A significant identity of the values and structure of the correlation relationships of indicators of psychophysiological functions of military pilots of supersonic and transport aviation was established. The presence of a common system-forming factor in ensuring the reliability of task performance determines the prevalence of indicators of psychomotor functions over those in helicopter pilots for whom the indicators of most neurodynamic functions are reliably better. Respectively, in the groups of military pilots of supersonic and transport aviation, psychophysiological functions are fairly well correlated with each other and are closely related to majority of personal characteristics, forming 45 and 52 % of relationships. Among helicopter pilots, such relationships are significantly less, amounting 24%. There is also a lack of significant influence of personalized characteristics on the formation of the «correlation frame» of psychophysiological functions.

REFERENCES RELATED TO THE DEFINITION OF THE STATUTE OF AERONAUTICAL STAFF IN THE PIONEERING PERIOD OF THE ROMANIAN MILITARY AERONAUTICS

The establishment of the Military Aviation 110 years ago, a historical event with reference to the audacious flight made by the engineer Aurel Vlaicu, on the Cotroceni land, with the Vlaicu airplane no. 1 on June the 17th, 1910, the founding of the first Civil Pilot Schools and, later on, of the first Military Flight Training School, specialized aeronautical institutions that will initiate the training of military pilots, represents the starting point that will generate major debates in the leadership and political factors of the Armed Forces, regarding the theoretical and practical methods for the development of this new reality at the beginning of the twentieth century, the selection of the human resource excellently trained and motivated to carry out fearlessly and courageously dangerous activities in the field of air weapons, but also the taking of some measures to regulate the status, the obligations and rights of the aeronautical personnel, aspects that will find their solution by developing innovative legal instruments, adapted to the requirements of the times, which will decisively influence modern developments in the fundamental area of Air Law.