A Flight Helmet-Attached Force Gauge for Measuring Isometric Neck Muscle Strength

Area of Science:

• Aerospace Medicine
• Biomechanics
• Sports Science

Background:

• Fighter pilots face high Gz-forces, increasing cervical spine injury risk.
• Adequate neck muscle strength is vital for preventing G-induced neck injuries.
• Limited evidence exists on valid neck muscle strength measurement methods for pilots.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate a commercial force gauge attached to a pilot's helmet for measuring isometric neck muscle strength.
• To assess the reliability of this device compared to a weight stack machine.

Main Methods:

• Ten subjects performed maximal isometric cervical flexion, extension, and lateral flexion using the helmet gauge and a weight stack machine.
• Electromyography (EMG) recorded muscle activity from sternocleidomastoids and cervical erector spinae.
• Data analyzed using paired t-tests, Pearson correlation, and Wilcoxon's test.

Main Results:

• Statistically significant differences in mean force values were observed between the devices across all directions.
• Pearson correlation coefficients ranged from 0.73 to 0.89, highest in flexion.
• EMG activity showed significant differences only in the left cervical erector spinae during flexion.

Conclusions:

• The helmet-attached force gauge is a valid tool for measuring isometric neck muscle strength in fighter pilots.
• It is suitable for comparing individual strength levels and monitoring strength development progress.