Analysis of Heart Rate Variability During Emergency Flight Simulator Missions in Fighter Pilots

Analysis of Heart Rate Variability During Emergency Flight Simulator Missions in Fighter Pilots

The autonomous response of fighter and attack pilots who attend sessions in a flight simulator will be evaluated by measuring and analyzing heart rate variability (HRV).

The autonomous response of fighter and attack pilots during emergency situations in a flight simulator will be assessed by measuring and analysing heart rate variability (HRV). Eighteen pilots with instructor or student status assigned at the time of the evaluation to the ALA 23 district of the Talavera la Real Air Base of the Ministry of Defence of the Spanish Government (Badajoz) were studied during emergency situations in flight simulator. Subjects were assigned by non-probabilistic randomisation to an instructor group (IG; 7 subjects), and to a student group (AG; 11 subjects).

The recording of the parameters indicated corresponds to the emergency situations described above. Data collection was made in three different moments:

1. Take-off: it starts after reading the checklist until the engine fault is resolved.
2. Flight: during manoeuvres characterised by the recovery of abnormal positions.
3. Landing: where the pilot performs the landing manoeuvre, with the loss of spatial situation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Pilots who had the status of instructor or student assigned at the time of assessment to the ALA 23 district of the Talavera la Real Air Base of the Ministry of Defense of the Government of Spain (Badajoz).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any uncontrolled neurological or cardiac disorder.
• Being involved in ongoing medical-legal conflicts.