Affiliations: [a] Department of Physiotherapy at Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brazil | [b] Department of Engineering at Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brazil | [c] Department of Biomechanics, Medicine and Locomotor Rehabilitation, Ribeirao Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil
Correspondence:
[*]
Corresponding author: Alexandre Marcio Marcolino, Departamento de Biomecânica, Medicina e Reabilitação do Aparelho Locomotor Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (FMRP-USP) Av. Bandeirantes, 3900 CEP 14049-900 Ribeirão Preto – SP, Brasil. Tel./Fax: +55 16 3602 4413; E-mail: ammfisio@usp.br
Abstract: BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:The physical injuries caused by +Gz include skeletal-muscle overloads. This study has aimed at demonstrating ergonomic conditions of the pilots from the Brazilian Air Force’s Aerial Demonstration Squadron (BAFADS) during flight. METHODS:All the 13 pilots from the BAFADS were evaluated through an interview. Surface electromyography (SEMG) was employed during the flight manoeuvre simulation (under normal and overload conditions). RESULTS:The report analyses showed perception of discomfort in the right shoulder related to +Gz. The SEMG showed moderate levels of shoulder muscles activation for normal contractions (± 25%). During vigorous contraction, levels of recruitment were high: upper trapezius fibres (± 105%), middle trapezius fibres (± 90%) and posterior deltoid fibres (± 95%). The great demand from the deltoid muscles (posterior fibres) infers a very high level of recruitment from the rotator cuff muscle, which may explain the discomfort in the pilots’ shoulder during the flight manoeuvre. CONCLUSION:The mutual analysis of both methods not only does it demonstrate a correlation between symptoms and muscle recruitment, but also provides data to implement intervention measures for pilots’ physical training in order to minimise the discomfort symptoms during flights.
