Key result
Repetitive occupational +Gz exposure in fighter pilots increased resting mean arterial pressure from 78 mmHg to 86 mmHg and significantly elevated the heart rate response to head-up tilt.
Why the study?
Does repetitive occupational +Gz exposure alter the cardiovascular response to acceleration in fighter pilots?
Observational (n=12)
Does repetitive occupational +Gz exposure alter the cardiovascular response to acceleration in fighter pilots?
Repetitive occupational +Gz exposure induces a cardiovascular training effect in fighter pilots, increasing resting MAP and HR response to tilt.
May warrant monitoring in high-G pilots; leaves open long-term effects and need for prospective trials.
INTRODUCTION: A fundamental difference in the cardiovascular response to acceleration between a group of fighter pilots (FP) and a group of non-pilots (NP) has been demonstrated previously. This study investigated the longitudinal effects of repetitive occupational +Gz exposure on the cardiovascular response to acceleration. METHODS: There were 6 FP and 6 NP subjects who underwent rapid +75 degrees head-up tilt (HUT) on two separate occasions. The FP group were tested after a non-flying period of 5 wk (Test 1), and tested again after a period of repetitive exposure to high +Gz missions (Test 2). The NP group did not fly at all between Test 1 and Test 2. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), stroke volume (SV), and total peripheral resistance (TPR) were all determined non-invasively. SV was determined using impedance cardiography and calculated via the Kubicek equation. For each variable, resting values and the response to tilt for both HUT tests within and between each group were compared. RESULTS: In the FP group, resting MAP was higher (86 mmHg) in Test 2 compared with Test 1 (78 mmHg). Between groups, FP resting MAP was only different from the NP resting MAP in Test 2. The FP HR response to HUT increased significantly between the two tests. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest a +Gz-induced cardiovascular training effect in the FP group. Repetitive exposure to +Gz results in an increased resting MAP and an elevated HR response to tilt, which may provide benefits to operational fighter pilots.
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Newman et al. (2008) conducted an observational in Occupational high G exposure (n=12). Repetitive occupational +Gz exposure vs. Non-pilots and baseline (non-flying period) was evaluated on Resting mean arterial pressure (MAP). Repetitive occupational +Gz exposure in fighter pilots increased resting mean arterial pressure from 78 mmHg to 86 mmHg and significantly elevated the heart rate response to head-up tilt.
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