Effect of Multiple High +Gz Exposure on Male and Female Isometric Strength inBoth Rested and Sleepless Conditions

摘要

The inclusion of women into the high performance aircraft community has raisedseveral questions concerning body strength as it relates to cockpit performance and muscular fatigue. This study evaluated isometric strength of men and women pre and post-G exposure in both a rested and sleepless state. Fourteen subjects (8 male and 6 female) took part in a study which evaluated isometric strength pre and post-Gz acceleration using a static ergometer which emulated aircraft controls. Isometric strength measures were obtained pre and post-G acceleration in both rested (8 hours of rest) or sleepless (24 hours no sleep) conditions. G-exposure consisted of flying four (3 minute) closed loop flight simulations in the Dynamic Environment Simulator (centrifuge). No significant changes in strength were observed within groups of men and women when comparing pre-G rested upper and lower body strength measures. There were, however, significant differences between both groups, Women were 53 percent as strong as the men. Despite the significant differences in baseline strength measures between men and women, there were no significant differences in maximum isometric strength post-G acceleration in either the rested or sleepless conditions.