Effect of G suit type on cognitive performance

Sustained acceleration protection ensembles are being developed to help pilots of high performance aircraft endure high G exposures for longer periods of time. It has been assumed that better G endurance confers better pilot task performance. This premise was studied on the Armstrong Laboratory Dynamic Environment Simulator centrifuge.

Human subjects repeatedly endured prolonged high-G simulated aerial combat on a centrifuge to the point of loss of vision or physical exhaustion. Some profiles included over 20 exposures to +9 Gz. While enduring the G exposures, subjects tracked a simulated "bogey" aircraft on a visual display and performed a secondary task. Measures of cognitive function and physiologic status were taken throughout the exposures. G protection ensembles included the standard CSU 13 B/P anti-G suit, the Advanced Technology Anti-G Suit (ATAGS), COMBAT EDGE positive pressure breathing system with the CSU 13 B/P, COMBAT EDGE with ATAGS, and the Northrop Advanced Protection System (APS).

More advanced protective systems not only allow longer G endurance, but provide adequate support for maintained cognitive performance throughout the extended exposure. Although measures were affected by the type of protective system the subject was wearing, as well as individual ability and coping strategies, consistent target tracking task performance, rapid choice reaction time, and sufficient arterial oxygen saturation were maintained throughout extended exposures to a point preceding termination by only a second or two.

Those anti-G protection ensembles that cover and protect the body and which employ positive pressure breathing allow longer high G exposures which provide support for maintained cognitive performance.