Initial head-neck posture markedly influences cervical loading and injury risk during ejection. Axial rotation presents the greatest risk by elevating vertebral stress and ligament tension, emphasizing the critical importance of maintaining a neutral posture to protect the cervical spine during pilot ejection. Du C-F, Zhang X-Y, Zhao H, Liu S-Y, Li T-C, Wang X-W, Zhou K-T. Initial head-neck posture affects neck injury risk in pilot emergency ejection. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2026; 97(3):145-150.
Du et al. (Sun,) studied this question.