Differences in physical workload between military helicopter pilots and cabin crew

Area of Science:

• Occupational health
• Aerospace medicine
• Ergonomics

Background:

• Neck pain is a common issue for military helicopter pilots, with a 20% prevalence.
• Physical work exposures are suspected risk factors for neck pain in this population.
• Helicopter pilots and cabin crew undertake distinct tasks during flight operations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare physical work factor exposures between military helicopter pilots and cabin crew.
• To determine the 1-year prevalence of neck pain in military helicopter cabin crew.
• To identify differences in occupational risk factors for neck pain in aviation crews.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to nearly all helicopter pilots (n=113) and cabin crew (n=61) at the Dutch Defense Helicopter Command.
• Self-reported neck pain and exposure to nine physical work factors were the primary outcome measures.
• Chi-squared tests were used to compare reported exposures between pilots and cabin crew.

Main Results:

• The 1-year prevalence of regular or continuous neck pain was 28% in cabin crew.
• Cabin crew reported significantly higher exposure to manual material handling, prolonged/awkward torso and neck postures, working with raised arms, and dynamic neck movements.
• Exposure to prolonged sitting and dynamic neck movements was similar for both groups.

Conclusions:

• Flight-related neck pain affects both military helicopter pilots and cabin crew.
• Occupational exposures to physical risk factors for neck pain vary between these roles, with cabin crew facing greater exposure.
• Findings inform the development of targeted preventative strategies for flight-related neck pain in aviation personnel.