Abstract

ALONSO RODRIGUEZ, C.; MEDINA FONT, J.  and  PUENTE ESPADA, B.. Clinical findings during high G forces exposure in human centrifuge. Sanid. Mil. [online]. 2012, vol.68, n.3, pp.157-162. ISSN 1887-8571.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S1887-85712012000300005.

Introduction: The man exposure to high acceleration level produces the appearance of signs and symptoms, including the risk of loss of consciousness, that may compromise flight safety, and the training in human centrifuge is an useful method to improve the high acceleration tolerance. Material and methods: We assessed the appearance of symptoms and signs in a group of 81 fighter pilots who underwent advanced human centrifuge training, by exposing themselves to a 7 Gz for 15 seconds, with an on-set rate of 6 G/ second. We also studied the individual relaxed G tolerance level. Results: Visual symptoms were reported by 96,3% (greyout 88,9%, tunnel vision 72,9%, blackout 39,5%). We found that 90,1% presented petechials hemorrhages, 8,6% reported fatigue and 75'8 % disorientation or vertigo. Musculoskeletal pain was commonly reported affecting to different body parts: to forearms in 60,5%, to the thighs in 58%, to the arms in 40,7%, to the neck in 30,9%, to the abdomen in 23,5%, to the chest in 20,5% and to the elbows in 20,3% of the pilots. The average relaxed G-level tolerance was established in 4,79 ± 0,81 Gz, with a range between 3,40 Gz and 6,86 Gz, by using a centrifuge gradual on-set rate. Conclusions: Comparing the G level tolerance with the symptoms and signs, we found a significant greater prevalence of blackout among pilots with the biggest and the least tolerance than among those pilots with intermediate tolerance. We have not found any differences between the G level tolerance and the prevalence of petechiae, weariness, vertigo or musculoskeletal aches of different locations.

Keywords : Accelerations; Grey out; Blackout; Petechiae; Fatigue; Disorientation; Loss of consciousness; Human centrifuge.

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