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Related Experiment Videos

Back pain in aircrew--an initial survey

S C Sheard1, R J Pethybridge, J M Wright

  • 1Royal Naval Air Station, United Kingdom.

Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|May 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary

Helicopter aircrew experience significantly more back pain than non-flying personnel. Ergonomic factors in crew station design contribute to this issue, but personal lumbar supports offer relief.

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Area of Science:

  • Naval aviation medicine
  • Occupational health
  • Ergonomics

Background:

  • Early 1990s observations suggested higher back pain incidence in Navy Lynx helicopter aircrew compared to other helicopter crews.
  • Aircrew reported more frequent medical assistance and time unfit to fly due to back issues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify the incidence and nature of low back pain in helicopter aircrew.
  • To compare pain prevalence between aircrew and a non-flying military control group.

Main Methods:

  • A questionnaire-based study was conducted on 161 Naval aircrew and 310 non-flying military personnel.
  • Data collected included pain prevalence, location, history, and the impact of personal lumbar supports.

Main Results:

  • Helicopter aircrew reported significantly higher back pain incidence (82%) than controls (52%).
  • Aircrew also had a higher history of previous back pain (73% vs. 49%).
  • Pain was most commonly reported in the lower back (72%), with ergonomic factors identified as potential causes.

Conclusions:

  • Helicopter aircrew exhibit a higher prevalence of back pain, with crew station design being a significant contributing factor.
  • Personal lumbar supports demonstrated subjective improvements in flight-related symptoms.
  • Recommendations include providing personal supports and conducting further ergonomic studies and prevalence assessments.

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