Spinal symptoms in aviators and their relationship to G-exposure and aircraft seating angle

Aviator spinal symptoms related to G-exposure such as neck pain may limit flying performance and result in an increase in acute and chronic spinal disease.

An anonymous survey was conducted to better establish the nature and degree of G-related spinal symptoms. HP (high-performance) aviators were compared with a control group of non-high-performance (NHP) aviators.

Of 161 surveys distributed, 79 were returned for a return rate of 49%. No greater incidence of chronic spinal symptoms or disease in the neck or lower back were reported in the HP group as compared with the NHP group. However, a majority of HP aviators (54%) did report acute spinal symptoms, especially neck pain, temporally associated with pulling Gz, occurring either during or shortly after sorties. Some 20% of the total number of HP aviators responding reported that neck symptoms limited their flying performance, including pulling Gz, checking 6, and air combat maneuvers. Despite the increased seat angle slant in the F-16 as compared with the F-15, no significant difference in neck symptoms or performance limitations were reported as a result. Both HP and NHP aviators were noted in general to have good exercise habits with minimal use of tobacco. However, moderate use of alcohol was noted in both groups.

Spinal symptoms, especially neck pain, are a common problem associated with HP flying and frequently limit flying performance though do not appear to result in any increase in long-term morbidity in this relatively young, predominantly male, group of aviators. (Survey form included as an appendix for reference and future research.)

aerospace medicine, aircraft, aviation, health surveys, military personnel, questionnaires, risk factors, spinal diseases.