Objective:To help flying personnel prevent flight fatigue risk and ensure flight safety by investigating the fatigue and countermeasures of flying personnel during long-haul flight.Methods:Air Force flying personnel were randomly selected from a cluster. They were divided into 21-30, 31-40 and 41-50 years group according to age. According to the post, they were divided into fighter pilots, bomber pilots, air navigation commander/air communication controller/aerial machinist and other groups. The self-made "questionnaire of aeromedical support to long-haul flight safety" was used to collect the fatigue condition and countermeasures of flying personnel in long-haul flight for the comparison among age and post groups.Results:Out of 156 questionnaires, 150 were valid, with a response rate of 96.2%. For the comparisons among age groups, the significant differences were observed in 3 fatigue symptoms such as drowsiness/sleepiness, discomfort on neck, waist, and shoulders, and degraded reaction ( χ2=12.62, 11.77, 12.23, P=0.002, 0.003, 0.002), 2 fatigue countermeasures such as talking with teammates and engaging in physical activity ( χ2=6.37, 16.70, P=0.041,<0.001), and 4 measures of maintaining flight ability such as sleep management, comprehensive physical training, functional food intake and simulation training ( χ2=8.81, 11.48, 9.59, 7.32, P=0.012, 0.003, 0.008, 0.026). For the comparisons among post groups, the significant differences were observed in 3 fatigue symptoms as visual fatigue, drowsiness/sleepiness, and discomfort on neck, waist, and shoulders ( χ2=10.39, 17.89, 8.42, P=0.016, 0.001, 0.038), as well as in fatigue countermeasures chosen like taking in water or food ( χ2=19.06, P<0.001) and in improving flight ability chosen like relieving eye fatigue ( χ2=12.09, P=0.007). Conclusions:The age and post factors influence the fatigue conditions and countermeasures chosen in the flying personnel during long-haul flight. The targeted and comprehensive interventions are suggested.

Objective:To establish a foundation for the psychological selection of air combat personnel by studying the cognitive ability measurement methods for air combat personnel.Methods:The tests were done for 390 subjects including 142 radar operators, 117 radar academy students, 45 air combat personnel, and 86 radar trainees. Based on job analysis, 5 cognitive test tasks were developed, including graphic discrimination, working memory test, target tracking, voice anti-jamming, and comprehensive management. The discrimination was evaluated by the distribution graphs and coefficients of variation of the test results. The criterion-related validity was examined by correlating the cognitive test scores with the participants' work performance or academic grades, which served as the criteria. Content validity was determined by a 9-level scoring (1-9) of task necessity that collected from 30 air combat personnel and by the assessments of necessity of tested abilities that came from 30 experts. The parallel forms reliability, test-retest reliability and split-half reliability were tested respectively according to the results of each test.Results:The original scores of each test showed approximate normal distribution. The selected indicators' coefficients of variation were 14.4%-111.0%, reliabilities were 0.764-0.827, and criterion-related validities were 0.186-0.445, all of which were statistically significant (all P<0.05). In 30 air combat personnel, 53.3%-83.3% scored 7-9 to the necessity of test items, and 93.3% of 30 experts gave the required or basically required evaluations to the test items. Conclusions:The series tests show good content validity, and discrimination, reliability and the criterion-related validity meet the requirements of psychometrics. Especially the tests of graphic discrimination, working memory and target tracking expressed higher degree of discrimination, and can be used as cognitive ability assessment tool for the selection of air combat personnel.

Objective:To verify the effect of Fu′s massage combined with physical therapy technology in rapidly relieving neck and low back pain caused by long-haul flight.Methods:Forty-two male volunteers were divided into 8, 12, 16, 24 and 48 h groups according to the simulated flying hours. After the completion of the simulated long-haul flight, the 5 groups of volunteers were immediately treated with Fu′s massage combined with physical factors for neck and low back pain. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the cervical and lumbar pain of volunteers after simulated flight and after treatment, and the treatment effect was before treatment analyzed.Results:There were significant differences in the VAS scores of cervical and lumbar regions before treatment among volunteers with different flying hours ( H=-30.15, -28.25, both P<0.001). The VAS scores of cervical and lumbar regions of volunteers in the 24 h and 48 h groups were higher than those in the 8 h group ( P=0.002, <0.001, =0.002, <0.001). The VAS scores of cervical and lumbar regions of volunteers in the 48 h group were higher than those in the 12 h group ( P=0.016, 0.001). The VAS score of cervical region of volunteers in the 48 h group was higher than that in the 16 h group ( P=0.033). After the intervention of Fu's massage combined with physical therapy, the VAS scores of cervical and lumbar regions in each group were lower than those before treatment, and the differences were significant ( t/ Z=-3.00-17.00, all P<0.05 or 0.01). Conclusions:Fu′s massage manipulation combined with physical treatment can effectively relieve the neck and low back pain caused by long-haul flight, which can be widely used as a relief method.

Objective:To verify the effect of Fu′s massage combined with physical therapy technology in rapidly relieving neck and low back pain caused by long-haul flight.Methods:Forty-two male volunteers were divided into 8, 12, 16, 24 and 48 h groups according to the simulated flying hours. After the completion of the simulated long-haul flight, the 5 groups of volunteers were immediately treated with Fu′s massage combined with physical factors for neck and low back pain. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the cervical and lumbar pain of volunteers after simulated flight and after treatment, and the treatment effect was before treatment analyzed.Results:There were significant differences in the VAS scores of cervical and lumbar regions before treatment among volunteers with different flying hours ( H=-30.15, -28.25, both P<0.001). The VAS scores of cervical and lumbar regions of volunteers in the 24 h and 48 h groups were higher than those in the 8 h group ( P=0.002, <0.001, =0.002, <0.001). The VAS scores of cervical and lumbar regions of volunteers in the 48 h group were higher than those in the 12 h group ( P=0.016, 0.001). The VAS score of cervical region of volunteers in the 48 h group was higher than that in the 16 h group ( P=0.033). After the intervention of Fu's massage combined with physical therapy, the VAS scores of cervical and lumbar regions in each group were lower than those before treatment, and the differences were significant ( t/ Z=-3.00-17.00, all P<0.05 or 0.01). Conclusions:Fu′s massage manipulation combined with physical treatment can effectively relieve the neck and low back pain caused by long-haul flight, which can be widely used as a relief method.

Objective:To establish a foundation for the psychological selection of air combat personnel by studying the cognitive ability measurement methods for air combat personnel.Methods:The tests were done for 390 subjects including 142 radar operators, 117 radar academy students, 45 air combat personnel, and 86 radar trainees. Based on job analysis, 5 cognitive test tasks were developed, including graphic discrimination, working memory test, target tracking, voice anti-jamming, and comprehensive management. The discrimination was evaluated by the distribution graphs and coefficients of variation of the test results. The criterion-related validity was examined by correlating the cognitive test scores with the participants' work performance or academic grades, which served as the criteria. Content validity was determined by a 9-level scoring (1-9) of task necessity that collected from 30 air combat personnel and by the assessments of necessity of tested abilities that came from 30 experts. The parallel forms reliability, test-retest reliability and split-half reliability were tested respectively according to the results of each test.Results:The original scores of each test showed approximate normal distribution. The selected indicators' coefficients of variation were 14.4%-111.0%, reliabilities were 0.764-0.827, and criterion-related validities were 0.186-0.445, all of which were statistically significant (all P<0.05). In 30 air combat personnel, 53.3%-83.3% scored 7-9 to the necessity of test items, and 93.3% of 30 experts gave the required or basically required evaluations to the test items. Conclusions:The series tests show good content validity, and discrimination, reliability and the criterion-related validity meet the requirements of psychometrics. Especially the tests of graphic discrimination, working memory and target tracking expressed higher degree of discrimination, and can be used as cognitive ability assessment tool for the selection of air combat personnel.

Objective:To help flying personnel prevent flight fatigue risk and ensure flight safety by investigating the fatigue and countermeasures of flying personnel during long-haul flight.Methods:Air Force flying personnel were randomly selected from a cluster. They were divided into 21-30, 31-40 and 41-50 years group according to age. According to the post, they were divided into fighter pilots, bomber pilots, air navigation commander/air communication controller/aerial machinist and other groups. The self-made "questionnaire of aeromedical support to long-haul flight safety" was used to collect the fatigue condition and countermeasures of flying personnel in long-haul flight for the comparison among age and post groups.Results:Out of 156 questionnaires, 150 were valid, with a response rate of 96.2%. For the comparisons among age groups, the significant differences were observed in 3 fatigue symptoms such as drowsiness/sleepiness, discomfort on neck, waist, and shoulders, and degraded reaction ( χ2=12.62, 11.77, 12.23, P=0.002, 0.003, 0.002), 2 fatigue countermeasures such as talking with teammates and engaging in physical activity ( χ2=6.37, 16.70, P=0.041,<0.001), and 4 measures of maintaining flight ability such as sleep management, comprehensive physical training, functional food intake and simulation training ( χ2=8.81, 11.48, 9.59, 7.32, P=0.012, 0.003, 0.008, 0.026). For the comparisons among post groups, the significant differences were observed in 3 fatigue symptoms as visual fatigue, drowsiness/sleepiness, and discomfort on neck, waist, and shoulders ( χ2=10.39, 17.89, 8.42, P=0.016, 0.001, 0.038), as well as in fatigue countermeasures chosen like taking in water or food ( χ2=19.06, P<0.001) and in improving flight ability chosen like relieving eye fatigue ( χ2=12.09, P=0.007). Conclusions:The age and post factors influence the fatigue conditions and countermeasures chosen in the flying personnel during long-haul flight. The targeted and comprehensive interventions are suggested.

Objective:To review the effects of sleep deprivation on the alertness and cognitive abilities of pilots, so as to provide references to the subsequent research in this field. Literature resource and selections Relevant articles and scientific reports published in China and abroad. Literature quotation Thirty-five publications were cited. Literature synthesis A large number of experiments and research results have shown that sleep deprivation can reduce pilots′ alertness, deteriorate pilots′ cognitive abilities such as attention, memory and reaction ability, then result in decrements of flight operation ability. The longer the sleep deprivation, the severer fatigue the pilots will suffer, and the greater impact on their cognitive ability. The severe case may lead to flight accident. Conclusions:Sleep deprivation is a major safety hazard to pilots in flight, so it is necessary to carry out further research on countermeasures, such as to improve their alertness, cognitive abilities, and flight performance for ensuring flight safety.

Objective:To review the effects of sleep deprivation on the alertness and cognitive abilities of pilots, so as to provide references to the subsequent research in this field. Literature resource and selections Relevant articles and scientific reports published in China and abroad. Literature quotation Thirty-five publications were cited. Literature synthesis A large number of experiments and research results have shown that sleep deprivation can reduce pilots′ alertness, deteriorate pilots′ cognitive abilities such as attention, memory and reaction ability, then result in decrements of flight operation ability. The longer the sleep deprivation, the severer fatigue the pilots will suffer, and the greater impact on their cognitive ability. The severe case may lead to flight accident. Conclusions:Sleep deprivation is a major safety hazard to pilots in flight, so it is necessary to carry out further research on countermeasures, such as to improve their alertness, cognitive abilities, and flight performance for ensuring flight safety.

Objective:To conduct the research progress on applying Modafinil to modify the sleep deprivation and provide reference to the further research on improving sleep deprived pilot′s flight ability by taking psychotropic medications.Literature resource and selection:Relevant articles and scientific reports published in China and abroad.Literature quotation:Thirty-five published papers were cited.Literature synthesis:The negative effects of sleep deprivation on pilots′ alertness, cognitive function, and flight operation ability were briefly reviewed in this article, and the improvement in the flight operation ability of sleep deprived pilots by taking Modafinil verified by the computer-simulated flight was summarized. In wartime, pilots suffered from the decline of alertness, impairment of such cognitive functions as concentration and memory and degenerative flight operation ability caused by sleep deprivation in cross time zone and long-distance flights. Modafinil can effectively alleviate the fatigue of pilots under sleep deprivation, sustain their central nervous alertness, significantly improve their cognitive function as a cognitive enhancer, and reduce the influences on pilot′s operation ability that caused by sleep deprivation in simulated flight.Conclusions:The rational use of Modafinil is an important emergency measure to sustain pilot′s alertness, alleviate fatigue and improve cognitive ability, as well as to maintain his flight operation ability. The further research on resisting sleep deprivation by psychotropic medications to maintain flight operation ability would be of great significance to the improvement on Chinese military medical support.

Objective:To conduct the research progress on applying Modafinil to modify the sleep deprivation and provide reference to the further research on improving sleep deprived pilot′s flight ability by taking psychotropic medications.Literature resource and selection:Relevant articles and scientific reports published in China and abroad.Literature quotation:Thirty-five published papers were cited.Literature synthesis:The negative effects of sleep deprivation on pilots′ alertness, cognitive function, and flight operation ability were briefly reviewed in this article, and the improvement in the flight operation ability of sleep deprived pilots by taking Modafinil verified by the computer-simulated flight was summarized. In wartime, pilots suffered from the decline of alertness, impairment of such cognitive functions as concentration and memory and degenerative flight operation ability caused by sleep deprivation in cross time zone and long-distance flights. Modafinil can effectively alleviate the fatigue of pilots under sleep deprivation, sustain their central nervous alertness, significantly improve their cognitive function as a cognitive enhancer, and reduce the influences on pilot′s operation ability that caused by sleep deprivation in simulated flight.Conclusions:The rational use of Modafinil is an important emergency measure to sustain pilot′s alertness, alleviate fatigue and improve cognitive ability, as well as to maintain his flight operation ability. The further research on resisting sleep deprivation by psychotropic medications to maintain flight operation ability would be of great significance to the improvement on Chinese military medical support.