Vasodilation associated with supplement use: potential concern for military aviators

Area of Science:

• Aerospace Medicine
• Human Physiology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Military aviators experience high G-forces during tactical maneuvers, reducing mean arterial blood pressure (MAP).
• Reduced MAP limits an aviator's G-tolerance, increasing risks of G-induced loss of consciousness (G-LOC).
• Sports supplements containing vascularity-enhancing compounds are popular but their physiological effects on aviators are unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the potential impact of common sports performance supplements on military aviator G-tolerance.
• To investigate if supplement-induced changes in MAP could exacerbate G-force effects.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of physiological effects of sports supplements.
• Analysis of supplement-induced MAP reduction and its correlation with G-tolerance.
• Extrapolation of potential risks to military aviator performance.

Main Results:

• Certain sports supplements can reduce MAP by up to 16 mmHg after 1 hour.
• This reduction could potentially decrease G-tolerance by as much as 14%.
• Existing data suggests a significant risk to aviator safety.

Conclusions:

• Military aviators should exercise caution when using sports performance supplements.
• Further research is required to quantify the precise risks associated with supplement use in high-G environments.
• Supplement-induced hypotension may critically impair aviator's ability to withstand G-forces.