The influence of fatigue on psychophysiological indicators during 24 hours testing of pilots

摘要

This study presents the issue of fatigue and its quantification by the means of psychophysiological indicators. For the purpose of the study, 24 hours experiment was proposed consisting of eight about an hour long simulated IFR flights. Eight students of the Department of Air Transport, Faculty of Transportation Sciences, Czech Technical University in Prague participated in the study, all with comparable theoretical and practical skills. During individual flights, ECG curve was recorded as a heart activity signal. From the ECG signal, individual RR intervals were extracted and subsequently an analysis in three areas was performed: time and frequency analysis and analysis by the means of Pointcaré plot. The acquired data were statistically evaluated and compared. Based on Friedman ANOVA and subsequent post-hoc analysis, statistically significant differences between first and sixth measurement were identified, which corresponded to the circadian low. It is also possible to claim that Pointcaré plot appears as a suitable means for fatigue quantification.