Given the rigorous demands of aerial operations on the human body, this study aims to investigate the body composition differences among aircrew specialties, specifically between medical personnel and mechanics within the Air Force. By examining key body composition metrics such as fat mass, lean mass, and body water, the study seeks to uncover how these variables correlate with aircrew members' distinct occupational duties and overall health. Initial findings indicate subtle but significant body composition variations between groups, suggesting occupational roles may influence physical attributes. There were small differences in body composition between mechanics and medical personnel, primarily based on a greater body mass index, weight, body water, skeletal muscle mass, soft lean mass, and fat-free mass of the mechanics. Body composition analysis by segments suggest a better muscle activation during their duties, but worse nutrition habits in mechanics when compared to medical personnel. This underscores the importance of designing occupation-specific training and nutrition programs to optimize the health and operational performance of aircrew members across specialties.
Background: This research aimed to analyze the effect of experience and professional role on psychophysiological stress response in underwater evacuation training. Methods: We analyzed 36 participants (39.06±9.01 years), divided into two different groups; 17 crew members (38.6±7.2 years) and 19 medical members (39.5±10.5 years). modifications in the rating of perceived exertion, subjective stress perception, heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, cortical arousal, heart rate variability, spirometry, isometric hand strength, and short-term memory before and after underwater evacuation training were analyzed. Results: The maneuver produced a significant increase in SSP, RPE, IHS, FVC, and SatO2 at different moments of the intervention, being higher in crew members. Conclusions: We found that the underwater evacuation training produced an anticipatory anxiety response, and an increase in autonomous sympathetic nervous system modulation not affecting strength capacities, cortical arousal, and memory independently of the aircraft role (medical or crew).
Body composition has been associated with better performance in military populations. However, there is no consensus about the most suitable body composition values for army paratroopers. To analyze body composition differences among the type of specialty, age group, and gender of army paratroopers, for a better improvement of their operability. 104 paratroopers of the Spanish Army were analyzed. Anthropometric and morphological data were analysed throw an In-Body720. There was a significant effect of age on intracellular water. Older soldiers had lower values of intracellular water, protein, and skeletal muscle mass than middle-aged soldiers. No significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) for the effect of the kind of work and age together or taken separately. Men had significantly higher values than women for height, weight, extracellular water, protein, fat-free mass, and skeletal muscle mass, and significantly lower values for the percentage of body fat, while no differences were found for body fat mass and body mass index. We conclude that paratroopers’ body composition depends on age in skeletal muscle mass, intracellular water, and protein. For better unit readiness, soldiers must be monitored to analyze the effect of training and nutrition habits on their body composition.
Background: The effect of stress on sympathetic modulation measured by HRV has been studied in various population groups exposed to different stressors. HRV measurement tools are based on the electrocardiogram (ECG), portable tools such as POLAR V800, and recently photoplethysmography (PPG). The aim of this study was to analyze the validity of a PPG mobile app to measure HRV with a validated V800 system in a tactical athlete population. Methods HRV of 53 professional militaries were analyzed by POLAR V800 and an HRV Camera app with a smartphone during 5 min and 30 s protocol respectively. Results: The HRV values obtained by the PPG presented a significant negative significant correlation in the HRVI index, LF, HF, LF (n.u.), HF (n.u.), and a positive significant correlation in TINN index by the Polar V800 system with the application of a regression equation over the data obtained. Conclusions: HRV Camera PPG App 30s record analysis protocol could be applied using a regression formula depending on the HRV variables after the comparison with a standard 5-minute test conducted with a validated Polar V800. In future research, it is suggested to validate PPG protocols with longer durations.
