MRI findings and physical performance as predictors of flight-induced musculoskeletal pain incidence among fighter pilots

Summary Study aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible association of pre-career magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) find­ings and physical performance level with possible musculoskeletal disorders during jet flight training. Material and methods: The study group consisted of 73 fighter pilots who had undergone pre-career cervical and lumbar spine MRI. Physical performance of a subgroup of the pilots (n = 67) was measured initially at the same time and followed up to the fast jet training phase (ranging from 3.8 to 7.0 years). Musculoskeletal pain history during pilot training was taken from the medical charts. MRI findings and physical performance were associated with perceived…

‘I was excited to train, so I didn’t have problems with the coach’: dual career athletes’ experiences of (dis)empowering motivational climates

In addition to investing in athletic development, adolescent elite athletes are expected to complete their secondary education. As a result of this expectation and the demands of sport and education, they may struggle to sustain high levels of motivation for both domains. Grounded in theoretical tenets of empowering coaching, this study sought to explore student–athletes’ perceptions of empowering and disempowering motivational climates and their possible implications for athletes’ dual career experiences. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 Finnish student–athletes, and the data were thematically analysed. The analysis indicated that a majority of the athletes had experiences…

Sotilaslentäjän fyysinen kuormittuminen, kunto ja työperäiset terveyshaitat

Kaartoja, kierteitä ja kaputteja : ilmailu- ja liikuntafysiologista turbulenssia ilmailulääketieteen siivellä

Palvellessani Puolustusvoimia tutkijana ja ilmailufysiologina 17 vuotta Ilmavoimissa sekä kuusi vuotta Ilmailulääketieteen keskuksessa, sain sukkuloida aitiopaikalta lentäjien liikuntakoulutuksen ja työterveyshuollon välimaastossa. Tarkastelen artikkelissa lentäjän fyysiseen suorituskykyyn liittyviä tekijöitä liikuntatieteiden ja liikuntalääketieteen kannalta, historiaankin nojaten ja paikoitellen rakentavan kriittisesti. Sotilaslääketiede voisi hyödyntää tehokkaammin liikuntatieteen, liikuntalääketieteen sekä sotilaan fyysisen suorituskyvyn alan osaamista sotilaslentäjiin liittyvissä kysymyksissä. Ilmailufysiologin silmin runsaasti hyvää työtä on tehty, mutta jotkin sotilaslääketieteellise…

Muuttolinnun siivellä : Ilmavoimien kansainvälisen valmiusyksikön nousukiito NATOn TACEVAL-prosessin myötä

Muscular Fitness Improves during the First Year of Academy Studies among Fighter Pilot Cadets

Background: An adequate level of muscular fitness is related to occupational performance in military personnel, including pilots flying high performance aircraft. The aim of this study was to describe the baseline level and the change in muscular fitness between the first and the second years of the Air Force Academy among fighter pilot cadets. Methods: The muscular strength and endurance test results of 182 male fighter pilot cadets were analyzed during their first year in the Air Force Academy and one year after. Maximal isometric strength tests included trunk flexion, trunk extension and bilateral leg extension tests, whereas muscle endurance was measured with modified a sit-up test and …

Relationships Between Physical Fitness, Demands of Flight Duty, and Musculoskeletal Symptoms Among Military Pilots.

Although the mechanisms of G-induced stresses on the spinal structure of military pilots are well understood, less is known about relationships between the intensity of physical activity, fitness, occupational musculoskeletal symptoms, and the degree of resulting disabilities. During an aeromedical examination, Finnish military pilots answered a questionnaire on their flying experience, the occurrence of flight duty-related pain, the degree of resulting disabilities, and the intensity of physical activity they conducted. 195 males were selected for further analysis. They were divided into three groups, designated high G, low G, and HQ, according to their current flight duty profile. 93% of …