Selected blood and urine chemistries were compared in helicopter pilots flying alternately nap-of-the-earth (NOE) and routine flight profiles. The NOE flights resulted in significantly higher urinary catecholamine excretion (P less than .05), serum uric acid (P less than .05) and blood lactic acid (P less than .01). Preflight cortisol was significantly higher than post-flight (P less than .01), and post-flight catecholamine excretion rate was higher than durine the three hour post-flight sample period (P less than .01). The biochemical results are consistent with the reports that NOE flight is physically more demanding in terms of muscular strain. The increased catecholamine excretion may indicate the perception of NOE flight as a more demanding and stressful activity than flight at higher altitudes. In light of previous work, the higher serum uric acid levels prior to NOE flight may provide a measure of the pilot's psychological preparation and possible performance during NOE flight. (Author)
The Effect of Nap-of-the-Earth (NOE) Helicopter Flying on Pilot Blood and Urine Biochemicals
1977
22 pages
Report
Keine Angabe
Englisch
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