Combat aircraft pilots operate in highly demanding environments where their expertise and psychophysiological responses impact performance. This study evaluated the acute psychophysiological effects of simulated and real combat flight maneuvers. Twelve Spanish Air Force fighter pilots (mean age = 33.08 ± 5.21 years) participated, averaging 13.25 ± 5.15 years of military service, including deployments in international missions. Various physiological and metabolic variables—isometric hand strength, lower body strength, pulmonary capacity, blood oxygen saturation, urinary hydration levels, cortisol, and blood lactate concentrations— were measured before and after both simulated and real combat flights. Results showed no statistically significant differences between real and simulated flights for most variables, including blood oxygen saturation, lactate, glucose, cortisol, urine color, and physical fitness indicators. However, glucose levels significantly decreased after simulated flights (p = 0.021), and horizontal jump performance improved post-real flights (p = 0.004). The similarity in physiological responses suggests that simulators effectively replicate real combat conditions, reinforcing their value as a safe, effective training tool. Simulators enhance pilot preparedness while minimizing exposure to combat risks. These findings contribute to aviation psychophysiology, improving training protocols and operational readiness for both military and civilian applications, ultimately optimizing pilot performance and safety in high-risk environments.
This study investigates the influence of experience on stress responses and fine motor skills among professional male military parachutists. We analyzed 132 paratroopers, divided into a non-experienced group (NEG; ≤6 parachute jumps) and an experienced group (EG; >50 jumps). Baseline samples were collected 2.5 hours before participants performed a 500 m jump, with post-jump evaluations conducted immediately after landing. Results indicated that experience significantly influences fine motor skills and stress responses. Non-experienced jumpers showed greater degradation in fine motor skills and higher cortical arousal pre-jump levels, suggesting an increased anticipatory state. In contrast, experienced parachutists maintained more consistent fine motor skills and exhibited a ceiling effect in stress response. Leg strength was higher in non-experienced jumpers, reflecting youth and greater muscle mass, with no significant difference in hand strength. These findings highlight the role of experience in managing stress and maintaining motor skills under pressure. The study suggests further exploration into psychological aspects like motivation and resilience, along with the long-term effects of stress exposure. The importance of experience in high-stress military operations emphasizes the need for targeted training interventions to enhance stress-coping mechanisms in less experienced individuals.
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).
Shooting impairment may occur whereas there is either central or peripherical fatigue. However, the effects of different physical stressor stimuli on fine motor skills as shooting are yet not fully understood. The present research aimed to analyze the effect of endurance and resisted physical stressors on the psychophysiological response and pistol marksmanship of novel soldiers, and the possible differences in gender and BMI. Variables of heart rate, isometric hand strength, rate of perceived exertion, and pistol marksmanship were analyzed in 56 soldiers in endurance and resisted stress protocols. Isometric hand strength, heart rate, and RPE were significantly higher in both resisted and endurance physical stress protocols than in the basal sample. Gender differences were seen in strength, cardiovascular and RPE values. Also, subjects with larger BMI presented significantly higher isometric hand strength and higher marksmanship in all moments evaluated. We conclude that an endurance stress protocol produced a higher cardiovascular and perceived exertion than a resisted one, not affecting hand strength, shooting heart rate, and marksmanship. Females presented lower hand strength and marksmanship while higher rated of perceived exertion and heart rate during the endurance and resisted stress protocols than males. Overweight participants presented higher heart rates during both physical stress protocols, but higher hand strength and marksmanship while similar shooting heart rates than normal-weight participants.
