A 5-week centrifuge-based G training with feedback on the magnitude of G force does not improve the perception of roll tilt during simulated coordinated turns

• Published in: Journal of neurophysiology 2024-11, Vol.132 (5), p.1571-1576
• Main Authors: Keramidas, Michail E, Kölegård, Roger, Brink, Andreas, Eiken, Ola
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; aviation; Centrifugation; Humans; Hypergravity; Male; perceptual learning; spatial disorientation; vestibular system; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0022-3077; 1522-1598; 1522-1598
• DOI: 10.1152/jn.00311.2024

When entering a coordinated flight turn without visual references, the perception of roll-angular displacement is determined by vestibular cues, and/or probably by assessment of the gravitoinertial (G) load (G magnitude) and its translation into the corresponding bank angle. Herein, we examined whether repeated exposures to hypergravity (G training) in a centrifuge, would advance, not only the ability to accurately assess the G load but also the capacity to detect or estimate the corresponding roll inclination of the centrifuge gondola. To this end, in nine men without piloting experience, the subjective estimation of G load and roll tilt were assessed, in complete darkness, during 5-min coordinated turns in the centrifuge, performed at 1.1 G (25° roll-tilt angle) and 2.0 G (60° roll tilt angle). These trials were conducted before and after 5 wk of G training {3 × 40-min sessions·wk ; protocol: 20 × 1 min at G levels close to the individual relaxed G-level tolerance [range: ∼2.6 G (∼67°)-3.6 G (74°)], separated by 1-min intervals at idle speed (1.4 G)}, whereas continual feedback to the subjects was limited to the G load. As expected, G training improved subjects' capacity to assess G load, especially at 2.0 G ( = 0.006). The perception of roll tilt, however, was consistently underestimated (by ∼70%-80%), and not enhanced by G training ( ≥ 0.51). The present findings demonstrate that prolonged repeated G-induced roll-tilts in a centrifuge gondola, while external feedback is restricted to graviception, enhance the capacity to perceive G load, but fail to advance the ability to detect or consciously estimate the magnitude of roll-angular displacement during a coordinated turn. During a coordinated flight turn without external visual references, the pilot typically underestimates the aircraft bank angle, because unreliable information of roll tilt is conveyed by the vestibular system. The present results demonstrate that prolonged repeated gravitoinertial (G)-induced roll-tilts in a centrifuge gondola, while external feedback is restricted to graviception, enhance the capacity to perceive G load, but fail to advance the ability to consciously estimate the magnitude of roll angular displacement.