Neuroendocrine responses of flight cadets during midterm tests and of fighter pilots during tail chase sorties

Urinary excretion of catecholamines (CA), epinephrine (E), and norepinerphrine (NE) was determined in flight cadets (n = 46) during mid-term test sorties and was compared with the measures of these variables in fighter pilots (n = 65) during tail chase sorties. Flight cadets were divided into passed and failed cadets. Fighter pilots were divided into superior, above average, and average with flying ratings of > 7, 6-7, and <6, respectively, and with flying experience of 2050 +/- 1081 h, 884 +/- 575 h, and 616 +/- 756 h, respectively. CA excretion data showed significant intra- and intergroup differences. Excretion rates for CA and NE before and after flight were significantly higher in flight cadets than in fighter pilots. After flight, all the preflight urinary variables increased significantly in passed flight cadets, while changes in failed flight cadets were not significant. In all groups of fighter pilots, preflight excretion rates for CA, E, and NE rose postflight, but the differences within the groups were not significant. The NE/E ratio decreased significantly as a function of flight adaptation. The pre- and postflight NE/E ratios were lower in fighter pilots than in flight cadets. The delta NE/E ratio decreased in fighter pilots, but increased in flight cadets. The preflight NE/E ratio was smaller for superior than for above average and average fighter pilots, and for passed than for failed flight cadets. The postflight NE/E ratio did not show any significant differences within the groups. In superior fighter pilots, the delta NE/E ratio remained relatively stable, while it was reduced in above average and average fighter pilots.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)