Analysis on neck muscle strength of Air Force aircrews

Objective To evaluate neck muscle strength (NMS) of Air Force aircrews and to investigate the NMS difference among different aircraft aircrews as well as its relation with dynamic environment.Methods The maximum isometric flexion,extension,left and right lateral flexion NMS of 200 aircrews were respectively tested by CME-1 neck muscle training equipment for 10 times.The peak neck muscle strength (PNMS) and mean value of maximal isomeric neck muscle strength (MNMS) in the tests were recorded.Aircrews were grouped by the aircraft type and age (by the boundary of 35 yrs).PNMS and MNMS of different groups were compared.The analysis of variance or t-test was used for the comparison between groups.Results The extension,left and right lateral flexion PNMS and MNMS of high performance fighter group was respectively (216.6±68.6)N,(133.7±34.4) N,(154.84±50.5)N and (160.4±47.7)N,(101.6±28.6)N,(118.4±29.7)N.These were higher than those of other groups.Common fighter group showed highest flexion PNMS [(121.4±28.5)N],and MNMS [(85.2±15.7)N].Trainer group'sextension,left and right lateral flexion PNMS and MNMS was respectively (156.9±55.9)N,(101.9±43.3)N,(122.4±52.7)N and (110.8±42.6)N,(75.7 ± 31.9)N,(82.3 ± 30.5)N.These were lower than those of other groups.Early warning aircraft group's flexion PNMS was (98.3 ± 24.7) N,lower than that of other groups.Transporter group had the lowest MNMS on flexion,(71.0± 22 0)N.There was no statistical difference on PNMS and MNMS between high performance fighter group and common fighter group.The PNMS and MNMS differences between the group ≤ 35 yrs and ＞ 35 yrs were not significant.Conclusions NMS of aircrews is not so strong no mater what the aircraft type and there is no evident NMS difference among different aircraft aircrews.Enhancing aircrew' s,especially fighter pilot' s,NMS training is suggested to prevent G-induced neck injuries. Key words: Neck muscle; Muscle strength; Biomechanics; Aviation