Abstract
BACKGROUND
Successful monitoring of in-flight cerebral oxygen status (COS; cerebral hemoglobin concentration changes and oxygenation changes under dynamic flight conditions) was recently achieved using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). In this study, we examined the effects of air-to-air combat maneuvering on COS.
METHOD
Six F-15 fighter pilots performed 2-vs.-1 air-to-air combat one to three times in each of eight sorties. We took continuous measurements of the pilots' in-flight COS using a commercial NIRS system. We measured the direct effects of G-forces on COS as evidenced by relative concentrations of oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin.
RESULTS
With respect to the G-levels reached during air combat maneuvering (Gz range of -0.4 to + 9.5), oxyhemoglobin concentration (O2Hb) and tissue oxygenation index (TOI, the ratio of oxygenated to total tissue hemoglobin) decreased with increasing G-forces during aerial combat maneuver (ACM). Maximum changes in relative O2Hb ranged from -4.2 to -26 micromol x L(-1). Subjects' experience as measured by total fighter time was an independent determinant of the magnitude of decrease in relative oxygenation.
CONCLUSIONS
1. Pilots' COS declined with dynamic G-forces experienced under aerial combat conditions. 2. Fighter pilots with more flying hours maintained a higher cerebral oxygen level at the same level of G-forces than pilots with less flying time. 3. NIRS technology in the form of the NIRO-300G has matured for continuous monitoring of in-flight cerebral oxygen status under vigorous field conditions.
TY - JOUR
T1 - Pilot cerebral oxygen status during air-to-air combat maneuvering.
AU - Kobayashi,Asao,
AU - Tong,Andrew,
AU - Kikukawa,Azusa,
PY - 2002/9/18/pubmed
PY - 2003/2/1/medline
PY - 2002/9/18/entrez
SP - 919
EP - 24
JF - Aviation, space, and environmental medicine
JO - Aviat Space Environ Med
VL - 73
IS - 9
N2 - BACKGROUND: Successful monitoring of in-flight cerebral oxygen status (COS; cerebral hemoglobin concentration changes and oxygenation changes under dynamic flight conditions) was recently achieved using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). In this study, we examined the effects of air-to-air combat maneuvering on COS. METHOD: Six F-15 fighter pilots performed 2-vs.-1 air-to-air combat one to three times in each of eight sorties. We took continuous measurements of the pilots' in-flight COS using a commercial NIRS system. We measured the direct effects of G-forces on COS as evidenced by relative concentrations of oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin. RESULTS: With respect to the G-levels reached during air combat maneuvering (Gz range of -0.4 to + 9.5), oxyhemoglobin concentration (O2Hb) and tissue oxygenation index (TOI, the ratio of oxygenated to total tissue hemoglobin) decreased with increasing G-forces during aerial combat maneuver (ACM). Maximum changes in relative O2Hb ranged from -4.2 to -26 micromol x L(-1). Subjects' experience as measured by total fighter time was an independent determinant of the magnitude of decrease in relative oxygenation. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Pilots' COS declined with dynamic G-forces experienced under aerial combat conditions. 2. Fighter pilots with more flying hours maintained a higher cerebral oxygen level at the same level of G-forces than pilots with less flying time. 3. NIRS technology in the form of the NIRO-300G has matured for continuous monitoring of in-flight cerebral oxygen status under vigorous field conditions.
SN - 0095-6562
UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/12234045/Pilot_cerebral_oxygen_status_during_air_to_air_combat_maneuvering_
DB - PRIME
DP - Unbound Medicine
ER -
