title: Neck and shoulder muscle activity and posture among helicopter pilots and crew-members during military helicopter flight.
abstract: Neck pain among helicopter pilots and crew-members is common. This study quantified the physical workload on neck and shoulder muscles using electromyography (EMG) measures during helicopter flight. Nine standardized sorties were performed, encompassing: cruising from location A to location B (AB) and performing search and rescue (SAR). SAR was performed with Night Vision Goggles (NVG), while AB was performed with (AB+NVG) and without NVG (AB-NVG). EMG was recorded for: trapezius (TRA), upper neck extensors (UNE), and sternocleido-mastoid (SCM). Maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) were performed for normalization of EMG (MVE). Neck posture of pilots and crew-members was monitored and pain intensity of neck, shoulder, and back was recorded. Mean muscle activity for UNE was ∼10% MVE and significantly higher than TRA and SCM, and SCM was significantly lower than TRA. There was no significant difference between AB-NVG and AB+NVG. Muscle activity in the UNE was significantly higher during SAR+NVG than AB-NVG. Sortie time (%) with non-neutral neck posture for SAR+NVG and AB-NVG was: 80.4%, 74.5% (flexed), 55.5%, 47.9% (rotated), 4.5%, 3.7% (lateral flexed). Neck pain intensity increased significantly from pre- (0.7±1.3) to post-sortie (1.6±1.9) for pilots (p=0.028). If sustained, UNE activity of ∼10% MVE is high, and implies a risk for neck disorders.
authors: Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark. Electronic address: mmurray@health.sdu.dk.
authors: Mike
authors: M
authors: Murray
authors: Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Denmark.
authors: Britt
authors: B
authors: Lange
authors: Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark.
authors: Shadi Samir
authors: SS
authors: Chreiteh
authors: Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark.
authors: Henrik Baare
authors: HB
authors: Olsen
authors: Royal Danish Air Force, Air Force Staff, Defence Command Denmark, Denmark.
authors: Bo Riebeling
authors: BR
authors: Nørnberg
authors: Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Canada.
authors: Eleanor
authors: E
authors: Boyle
authors: Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark.
authors: Karen
authors: K
authors: Søgaard
authors: Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark.
authors: Gisela
authors: G
authors: Sjøgaard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000401:Aircraft; D003718:Denmark; D004576:Electromyography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006260:Head Protective Devices; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D012782:Shoulder / Q000502:physiology*; D016526:Workload
keywords: Crew-members; Electromyography; Helicopter; Muscle activity; Neck; Pain; Pilots; Shoulder; Workload