Coping and Changes in Arousal After Exposure to +G_z Load

Area of Science:

• Aerospace Medicine
• Human Performance
• Physiology

Background:

• Acceleration loads induce physiological changes impacting pilot performance.
• Individual differences in central nervous system (CNS) arousal responses to acceleration stress are not fully understood.
• Investigating the role of coping styles and trait anxiety in modulating CNS arousal is crucial for pilot safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if coping styles and anxiety levels differentiate subjects' CNS arousal responses to +Gz load.
• To explore the relationship between coping strategies and physiological changes under simulated G-force exposure.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-one male volunteers (23-30 years old) were exposed to centrifugation.
• Measurements included the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS) and State Trait Anxiety Inventory.
• Central nervous system (CNS) arousal was assessed using the Critical Flicker Fusion Threshold (CFFT) before, during, and after centrifugation.

Main Results:

• Two distinct patterns of CNS arousal changes were observed, categorized by higher (class 1) and lower (class 2) fatigue levels.
• Class 1 subjects exhibited significantly higher Task-Oriented Coping scores compared to class 2.
• Class 1 subjects showed significantly lower Emotion-Oriented and Distraction Coping scores than class 2.

Conclusions:

• The temporal changes in CFFT values are linked to specific coping styles.
• Coping styles serve as valuable predictors of CNS arousal responses to +Gz stress.
• These findings highlight the importance of psychological factors in understanding pilot responses to acceleration environments.