TECHNICAL PROPERTIES AND RESEARCH CAPABILITIES OF THE TRUCK SIMULATOR OWNED BY THE MILITARY INSTITUTE OF AVIATION MEDICINE – A NEW PERSPECTIVE IN RESEARCH ON TRUCK DRIVERS

This paper is aimed at presenting basic technical properties and possibilities of using the truck simulator owned by the Military Institute of Aviation Medicine (MIAM). The truck driving simulator is a stationary device, equipped with a six degrees of freedom (6 DoF|) motion system and reproducing the functionality of a truck on the basis of the Mercedes Benz Actros cabin. It is intended for conducting research as well as training truck drivers in simulated traffic conditions.

OCULAR PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH AIR TRAVELING

Air transport is the most dynamically developing branch of transport and the number of services provided by civil aviation is increasing from year to year. However, the conditions in the passenger cabin during the flight differ from those on the ground. The aim of this report is to discuss how the changed environment in the cabin affects the visual system, where eye disorders can cause or exacerbate existing ones and in which diseases traveling by air is contraindicated. Air traveling is generally safe for most passengers with eye diseases, but may cause exacerbation of some diseases of the eye and is contraindicated after some vitreoretinal operations and in the case of ischemic changes of the retina and optic nerve.

RUNWAY INCURSIONS IN NORWAY 2009-2019: A CASE STUDY OF EXTENDED INVESTIGATION REPORTS

The aim of the present study is to examine case studies from extended investigations of runway incursions in Norway from 2009-2019. Runway incursions involves an incorrect presence of an aircraft, vehicle or person on the runway and represents a relatively frequent threat to safety in the aviation industry. A content analysis and classification of the extended investigation reports (N=7) revealed 42 explanatory factors that could be condensed into four categories related to perception, procedural errors, memory and decision-making. When mapped onto the theoretical framework of situational awareness about 70% of the explanatory factors were related to misperception of information, improper comprehension of information or incorrect projection of future actions, respectively. The present study suggests that situational awareness can serve as a useful theoretical framework to identify deficits in human factors associated with runway incursion incidents. The results from this study contributes to inform investigation into aviation hazards and training of air traffic controllers.

ASSESSMENT OF THE NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF CANDIDATES TO THE AVIATION HIGH SCHOOL IN DĘBLIN

Introduction: The aim of the study was to assess the nutritional status of candidates to the General Aviation High School in Dęblin using selected anthropometric indices and bioelectrical impedance analysis. Methods: A total of 103 candidates to the General Aviation High School in Dęblin (88 boys and 15 girls) participated in the study. The mean age of the participants was 14.7±0.46 years. The nutritional status was assessed based on measurements of body weight, body height, and calculated BMI. The results were interpreted using growth charts. The body composition was determined by means of the bioelectrical impedance method. Results: Mean BMI of the girls was 20.6±3.0 kg/m2 (16.3 to 26.2 kg/m2) and of the boys 20.1±2.5 kg/m2 (14.4 to 27.8 kg/m2). Most of the examined adolescents (73.3% of girls and 75% of boys) had normal body weight. There were no significant differences in nutritional status in relation to the gender of the participants. 3.4% of the boys were found to be underweight. None of the girls showed features of malnutrition. Overweight, according to BMI, was diagnosed in 13.3% of the girls and 10.2% of the boys, obesity in 6.7% of the girls and 1.1% of the boys. Too low body fat percentage was observed in almost half of the boys examined. Conclusions: The majority of the General Aviation High School candidates examined were of normal body weight. No significant differences were noted between the nutritional status and the gender of the participants, based on BMI. Overweight and obesity diagnosed on the basis of body fat percentage was significantly more frequent in the group of girls. There is a need to educate youth about the health consequences of abnormal body weight, both underweight and overweight.

PHYSIOLOGICAL CORRELATES OF ALMOST LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS (A-LOC) DURING DYNAMIC FLIGHT SIMULATION (DFS) ON HUMAN CENTRIFUGE: A CASE REPORT

Introduction: G-LOC is still a threat for aircrew of high performance aircrafts. It is evoked by a high level of +Gz acceleration causing a deficit of brain oxygenation. Although near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to identify brain oxygenation decreases preceding G-LOC, it is not used regularly in aero-medicine research in Poland. Here, we report the physiological correlates of Almost Loss of Consciousness (A-LOC) that occurred during a research project. Method: During Dynamic Flight Simulation training on a human centrifuge one pilot experienced momentaneous confusion which was recorded on a camera. We post-hoc reviewed his vital signs, stroke volumes (SV), cardiac output (CO) obtained with bioimpedance rheography, and brain oxygenation (OX) measures with near-infrared spectroscopy on the forehead. Finally, we reviewed the recording of his eye movements obtained with video-oculography. Results: SV and CO measures were confounded by artefacts induced by anti-G straining manoeuvres (AGSM). However, OX measures demonstrated decreased brain oxygenation that lasted several seconds after the incident. Following the incident, the pilot’s pulse remained decreased for several seconds. Discussion: NIRS methodology seems to be resistant to artefacts created by muscles during AGSM. NIRS systems with a probing rate of 0.1 second might help detect upcoming A-LOC or G-LOC.

NEAR-INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY IN HEALTHY SUBJECTS: POSSIBLE APPLICATION IN AVIATION AND AVIATION MEDICINE

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a non-invasive optical brain monitoring technology for mapping the functioning of the human cortex in response to sensory or motor activation. There is a growing interest in implementing fNIRS to monitor the cognitive performance of military pilots. The method relies on differences in hemoglobin absorption spectra depending on blood oxygenation. However, this method was relatively rarely utilized in aviation and aviation medicine. Therefore, we will provide a broad review of applying this method in various avenues of medicine and cognitive psychology, as well as cover its documented use in aviation and aviation medicine. In this review, we cover the following topics: 1) fNIRS in comparison to most commonly used neuroimaging methods, 2) fNIRS in the evaluation of human performance, 3) fNIRS application in aviation and aviation medicine, and 4) fNIRS-based Brain-Computer-Interface (BCI) to overcome cognitive restrictions and for optimizing pilot training. In conclusion, over the years, fNIRS has become a neuroimaging technique that contributes to making advances toward understanding the functioning of the human brain.

STRESS-COPING STYLES AND SATISFACTION WITH LIFE OF MILITARY AVIATION PERSONNEL DIFFERING IN BODY MASS INDEX

Introduction: Soldiers, due to the specific nature of their service, are one of the occupational groups particularly exposed to stress. The aim of this study was to assess the stress-coping styles and satisfaction with life in a group of military aviation personnel, differentiated in terms of the BMI (Body Mass Index). Methods: The research compared three groups of military aviation personnel, distinguished on the basis of BMI, i.e. people with normal body weight (25 people), overweight people (24 people) and people suffering from obesity (20 people). The CISS (Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations) Questionnaire by Endler and Parker was used to assess the stress-coping styles. Satisfaction with life was measured using the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) by Diener et al. Results: The data analysis did not reveal any statistically significant differences in CISS and SWLS scores between groups differing in BMI (p>0.05). It was found that the style of coping with difficult situations that is most often manifested by the surveyed military aviation personnel is the task-oriented style (TOS). A comparable, high SWLS score was also revealed in all studied groups. Conclusions: The BMI turned out not to be a factor differentiating either the type of stress-coping styles or the level of satisfaction with life experienced by the military aviation personnel studied. It is likely that, due to the specificity of soldiers' work, the TOS may be a beneficial and adaptive style of dealing with stressful situations. The high level of general satisfaction with life found in the surveyed members of the military aviation personnel provides a reason to conduct further research aimed at identifying the factors determining this variable.

ASSESSMENT OF THE FREQUENCY OF FOOD PRODUCTS CONSUMPTION AND DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS BY MILITARY AVIATION PERSONNEL DEPENDING ON THEIR NUTRITIONAL KNOWLEDGE

Introduction: Nutritional behaviour is the result of many factors, one of which is nutritional knowledge. A higher level of nutritional knowledge promotes proper nutrition, which is the main factor influencing health, nutritional status and psychophysical efficiency. The aim of the study was to determine the customary frequency of consumption of selected food products and dietary supplements by Air Force soldiers depending on their level of nutritional knowledge. Methods: The study was carried out among 540 Air Force soldiers and 498 persons with complete data (32 women, 466 men; mean age 36.3±8.5 years) were included in the analysis. The FFQ food consumption frequency questionnaire was used to assess the frequency of food consumption. Nutrition knowledge was assessed on the basis of 32 statements on food and nutrition. Results: The level of nutritional knowledge depended significantly on the education and age of the respondents. In the group of the surveyed soldiers, military pilots showed the highest level of nutritional knowledge, while the lowest level was shown by engineering and aviation services. The frequency of consumption of milk and natural dairy drinks, curds, eggs, wholemeal bread, coarse groats, fruits, vegetables, oils, nuts, seeds, poultry meat, rabbit meat, honey, wine and drinks increased significantly with the increase in the level of nutritional knowledge, while the frequency of consumption of margarines in cubes, margarines in cups, animal fats and cured meats decreased. Dietary supplements such as vitamin, mineral and vitamin-mineral preparations were significantly more frequently consumed by soldiers with a higher level of nutritional knowledge. Conclusions: 1. On the basis of the assessment of the frequency of consumption of products, a number of abnormalities were found among the majority of the surveyed soldiers of military aviation personnel. 2. The results obtained confirm that a higher level of nutritional knowledge promotes healthy eating habits among the Air Force soldiers. Food education is essential, especially among soldiers in the older age group and ground flying personnel

DEVELOPMENT OF MOTION SYSTEMS FOR FLIGHT SIMULATORS

Despite the ongoing disputes about the need to use motion systems in flight simulators, the development of this component of simulators has been ongoing since the beginning of aviation. The aim of the article is to discuss the importance of the motion system in the simulation of motion stimuli affecting the aircraft pilot. Selected motion systems of flight simulators and reasons for using these systems are described. The benefits of the use of motion stimuli in flight simulators are discussed and possible directions of development of the motion system are presented.

SAFETY OF USE OF HIGH ALTITUDE PROTECTION SUITS FOR KINESITHERAPY – PRELIMINARY REPORT

Apart from protection from very high altitude or influence of increased gravitational accelerations protective suits sometimes are used for another applications like supporting kinesitherapy. Because of some safety considerations connected with possible cardiovascular system overload and dangerous blood pressure increase we tested if these concerns are valid. Main aim ot presented research performed with participation of healthy volunteers was to confirm that use of High Altitude Protection (HAP) suit is safe in terms of increased cardiovascular.