Effects of flight training on flight fatigue and sleep of helicopter pilots
10.3760/cma.j.cn113854-20200924-00147
- VernacularTitle:飞行训练对直升机飞行员飞行疲劳及睡眠的影响
- Author:
Dan ZHANG
1
;
Fujun DUAN
1
;
Junyang DONG
1
;
Li LUO
1
Author Information
1. 南部战区空军医院空勤科，广州 510602
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Flight training;
Helicopter;
Flight fatigue;
Sleep;
Pilots
- From:
Chinese Journal of Aerospace Medicine
2021;32(2):70-75
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To provide reference for relevant aeromedical support by analyzing the changes of flight fatigue and sleep quality of helicopter pilots before and after training.Methods:The cluster sampling method was adopted. The fatigue self-assessment questionnaire was issued to 90 helicopter pilots to measure the fatigue index. Video scintillator was used to measure the critical flick fusion frequency (CFF). Combined with the fatigue index, flight fatigue status before and after flight trainings was evaluated. Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) was used to measure the sleep index and sleep factors before and after trainings, and statistical difference was analyzed between aircraft types and training phrases.Results:One hundred and eighty questionnaires were given out in 2 surveys and the effective rate was 100.0%. ①There was no statistical difference in fatigue index and sleep index between armed helicopter (55 cases) and transport helicopter (35 cases) pilots before the trainings of the year ( P>0.05). ②The self-reported fatigue , mental fatigue , total score and PSQI of high-performance armed helicopter pilots were higher than those of general-performance armed helicopter pilots before training ( t=2.227-3.693 , P<0.01 or 0.05). However , there was no statistical difference in CFF. ③The physical fatigue , mental fatigue , total score of helicopter pilots increased after trainings ( t=2.383-3.217 , P<0.01 or 0.05) , and CFF was significantly reduced ( t=3.695 , P<0.01). After trainings , the pilots′ sleep quality , sleep latency , sleep time , sleep efficiency , sleep disorders , sleep medications and daytime function were significantly different from those before trainings ( t=2.238-21.095 , P<0.01 or 0.05) , and PSQI significantly increased ( t=2.050 , P<0.05).④The self-reported fatigue , physical fatigue , mental fatigue , fatigue score of armed helicopter pilots increased ( t=2.019-3.297 , P<0.01 or 0.05) and CFF significantly reduced after trainings ( t=3.926 , P<0.01). Their sleep efficiency , sleep disorders and daytime function were significantly different from those before trainings ( t=12.274 , 4.338 , 2.186 , P<0.01 or 0.05) , and PSQI significantly increased ( t=2.975 , P<0.01). Conclusions:Flight training has a significant effect on flight fatigue and sleep quality of helicopter pilots. It is important to pay attention to the effective recovery of flight fatigue after flight training.
