Differences in Cervical Muscle Activity of Pilots and Nonpilots With and Without Neck Pain

Area of Science:

• Aerospace Medicine
• Human Performance
• Neuromuscular Control

Background:

• Neck pain is prevalent, particularly in military pilots facing high physical flight demands.
• Chronic neck pain can disrupt neuromuscular control, leading to persistent symptoms.
• Understanding cervical muscle activity during low-load exercises is crucial for pilots.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify differences in cervical muscle activity between pilots and nonpilots with and without neck pain.
• To investigate pain-related alterations in neuromuscular control in a pilot population.
• To analyze muscle activity patterns during standardized mobility exercises.

Main Methods:

• 18 military pilots and 23 controls were grouped into symptomatic and asymptomatic subgroups.
• Surface electromyography recorded cervical muscle activity during standardized movements.
• Wavelet analysis assessed muscle activity frequency and intensity patterns.

Main Results:

• Symptomatic nonpilots showed lower left trapezius firing intensity than symptomatic pilots.
• Symptomatic pilots exhibited predominant lower frequency activity during shoulder movements.
• Age and BMI varied across subgroups, with low Visual Analog Scale pain scores.

Conclusions:

• Neck pain is linked to reduced muscle firing intensity and frequency shifts, possibly a protective adaptation.
• These adaptations in pilots may help maintain function under load while reducing cervical strain.
• Findings highlight distinct neuromuscular responses to neck pain in aviators.