Neck loads and posture exposure of helicopter pilots during simulated day and night flights

This study investigated neck loads and neck postures experienced by Canadian Forces (CF) helicopter pilots during routine simulator day and night flights. During the night flights pilots’ helmets were equipped with night vision goggles (NVG) which have been implicated in the increase of neck pain am...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of industrial ergonomics 2011-03, Vol.41 (2), p.128-135
Main Authors: Forde, Kelsey A., Albert, Wayne J., Harrison, Michael F., Patrick Neary, J., Croll, James, Callaghan, Jack P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biomechanics
Cervical spine loading
Cumulative loading
Ergonomics
Flight simulation
Helicopters
Loads (forces)
Military pilots
Missions
Neck posture
Necks
Night
Night vision
Pilots
Posture
Simulation
Studies
Workloads
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Summary:This study investigated neck loads and neck postures experienced by Canadian Forces (CF) helicopter pilots during routine simulator day and night flights. During the night flights pilots’ helmets were equipped with night vision goggles (NVG) which have been implicated in the increase of neck pain amongst pilots. Pilot’s postures were determined from video recordings of their flight missions to: (1) identify the neck postures assumed during day and night flight missions, and (2) determine the amount of biomechanical cervical spine loading experienced during these flights. Neck postures and peak and cumulative cervical kinetic loading were significant different ( P < 0.05) between day and night. During night flights the percentage of work cycle spent in mildly flexed posture increased significantly from 43% during day flights to 74% during night flights. As well, cumulative reaction compression values significantly increased from 583 kN s to 694 kN s. The biomechanical results lend support to previous physiological investigations of NVG use and further justify the need for guidelines associated with NVG use. The research highlights the biomechanical demands on the neck resulting from wearing a helmet with added weight from night vision equipment. The results have direct implication to military and commercial operators required to wear night vision equipment or added weight to the head.
ISSN:0169-8141
1872-8219
DOI:10.1016/j.ergon.2011.01.001