Determining the psychophysiological responses of military aircrew when exposed to acute disorientation stimuli

Introduction: Exposure to enviromental flight conditions may impair performance and physical integrity, thus training in simulated environments it is a key factor. This research aimed to study the psychophysiological response, cortical arousal and autonomic modulation of pilots and medical aircrew personnel during disorientation exposure, considering gender, experience, flying hours and body mass index (BMI) as influencial variables. Methods: A total of 47 soldiers (37 men and 10 women, 22 medical aircrew personnel and 25 fighter pilots) of Spanish Air Forces faced 25 min of vestibular, proprioceptive and visual disorientation. Results: Disorientation exposure elicited an increased psychophysiological response, significant increases in isometric hand strength, cortical arousal, autonomic modulation, perceived stress and effort in both groups while a significant decrease in respiratory muscle capacity and blood oxygen saturation in the medical aircrew group were found. Cross-sectional analysis showed gender differences, males presented greater parasympathetic activity and strength. Larger BMI was associated with greater levels and perception of stress as well as lower cardiovascular performance and sympathetic modulation. Furthermore, experience, previous training and larger flying hours correlated with greater parasympathetic modulation. Conclusion: Disorientation exposure produces an increase in cortical arousal and decrease in the parasympathetic nervous system either in pilots and medical aircrew personnel. In addition, medical aircrew personnel are less adapted to disorientation stimulus presenting significantly higher psychophysiological stress response, thus complementary physical training should be mandatory

Changes in body composition after an ultra-endurance event of 1700 km on mountain bike

El estudio de los cambios en la composición corporal en pruebas de resistencia se ha limitado en la mayoría de los casos al estudio de las pérdidas de peso corporal. El presente estudio pretende analizar los cambios producidos en la composición corporal (agua, proteínas, minerales, grasa, y músculo) producidos después de realizar una prueba de 1.700 Km en bicicleta de montaña cruzando África de este a oeste. Se analizaron 5 sujetos (73,3±10,2 kg, 170±0,1 cm, 51,2±6,9 años) antes y después de realizar una prueba de ultrarresistencia en bicicleta de montaña de 1.700 km durante 17 días (100-110 km por etapa). Se analizaron los siguientes parámetros: Masa Agua Intracelular, Masa Agua Extracelular, Proteínas, Masa Mineral, Masa Grasa Corporal, Agua Corporal Total, Masa Músculo Esquelético, Masa Libre de Grasa, Peso y Área Grasa Visceral mediante bioimpedancia eléctrica (BIA) con el analizador INBODY 720. Los resultados muestran una disminución no significativa de los parámetros de peso corporal y masa grasa, una disminución significativa en el área de grasa visceral (p>0,05). El resto de parámetros se mantuvieron en valores cercanos a la toma inicial. En conclusión este tipo de pruebas de ultrarresistencia únicamente afecta a los parámetros de grasa visceral, manteniendo el resto de variables de composición corporal sin cambios significativos.Actividad Física y Deport

Isokinetic leg strength and power in elite handball players

Isokinetic strength evaluation of the knee flexion and extension in concentric mode of contraction is an important part of the comprehensive evaluation of athletes. The aims of this study were to evaluate the isokinetic knee peak torque in both the extension and flexion movement in the dominant and non-dominant leg, and the relationship with jumping performance. Twelve elite male handball players from the top Spanish handball division voluntary participated in the study (age 27.68 ± 4.12 years; body mass 92.89 ± 12.34 kg; body height 1.90 ± 0.05 m). The knee extensor and flexor muscle peak torque of each leg were concentrically measured at 60º/s and 180º/s with an isokinetic dynamometer. The Squat Jump and Countermovement Jump were performed on a force platform to determine power and vertical jump height. Non-significant differences were observed between legs in the isokinetic knee extension (dominant= 2.91 ± 0.53 Nm/kg vs non-dominant = 2.70 ± 0.47 Nm/kg at 60º/s; dominant = 1.90 ± 0.31 Nm/kg vs non-dominant = 1.83 ± 0.29 Nm/kg at 180º/s) and flexion peak torques (dominant = 1.76 ± 0.29 Nm/kg vs non-dominant = 1.72 ± 0.39 Nm/kg at 60º/s; dominant = 1.30 ± 0.23 Nm/kg vs non-dominant = 1.27 ± 0.35 Nm/kg at 180º/s). Low and non-significant correlation coefficients were found between the isokinetic peak torques and vertical jumping performance (SJ = 31.21 ± 4.32 cm; CMJ = 35.89 ± 4.20 cm). Similar isokinetic strength was observed between the legs; therefore, no relationship was found between the isokinetic knee flexion and extension peak torques as well as vertical jumping performance in elite handball players.Actividad Física y Deport

Psychophysiological response of military pilots in different combat flight maneuvers in a flight simulator

Objective: To analyze the psychophysiological response during takeoff, landing, air-air attack and air-ground attack maneuvers. Methods: A total of 11 expert pilots (age=33.36 (5.37)) from the Spanish Air Force participated in this cross-sectional study. Participants had to complete in a flight simulator the following missions: 1) takeoff; 2) Air-air attack; 3) Air-Ground attack, and 4) Landing. The electroencephalographic activity (EEG) and heart rate variability (HRV) were collected during all these maneuvers. Results: Significant higher values of theta (during takeoff, air-air attack and air-ground attack) EEG power spectrum were obtained when compared to baseline. Significant difference in the P3 scalp location was observed between landing and takeoff maneuvers in the beta EEG power spectrum. Furthermore, significant lower values of HRV were obtained during takeoff, landing, air-air attack and air-ground attack when compared to baseline values. Also, landing showed a higher sympathetic response when compared to takeoff maneuver. Conclusion: Takeoff, landing, air-air attack or air-ground attack maneuvers performed in a flight simulator produced significant changes in the electroencephalographic activity and autonomic modulation of professional pilots. Beta EEG power spectrum modifications suggest that landing maneuvers induced more attentional resources than takeoff. In the same line, a reduced HRV during landing was obtained when compared to takeoff. These results should be considered to training purposes

Body composition features in different playing position of professional team indoor players

The aim of the present research was to analyze the body composition (BC) and the differences in BC among different playing position in professional basketball, handball and futsal players. BC was assessed in 70 professional indoor team sport players. Players were divided in 4 groups depending on the playing position: group 1, point guard, center/wings and defense; group 2, shooting guard/small forward, handed and midfielder; group 3, power forward/center, pivot and forward; and group 4 goalkeeper. Significant differences between playing positions in basketball in body mass (BM), height, proteins, minerals and arms, legs and trunk BM were found. In handball, significant differences between center/wings and pivot in BM and muscle mass, and between goalkeepers and handed in percentage of fat were measured. Significant differences were also found in BM of each playing position groups in the three sports and in arms and legs BM in groups 1 and 2, and trunk BM and height in group 2. Group 3 presented significant differences between futsal and basketball in skeletal muscle mass and trunk BM, and between basketball and handball in left leg BM and total BM. In group 4 significant differences in BM, height and trunk and leg BM between futsal and handball were found. BC in indoor team sports depend on the playing position and the sport discipline, the BC being result of the specific game actions of each playing position.Actividad Física y Deport

Psycho-physiological response of soldiers in urban combat

Los actuales conflictos armados son asimétricos y se caracterizan por desarrollarse en zonas urbanas. Estos nuevos requerimientos del combate han sido podo estudiados por la literatura actual. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar los cambios en la activación cortical, lactato sanguíneo, fuerza muscular, modulación autonómica y percepción subjetiva de esfuerzo en una simulación de combate urbano. Se analizaron 20 soldados antes y después de la simulación de combate. Los resultados muestran como en este tipo de combates se produce una alta estimulación del sistema nervioso simpático, que produce un aumento de la fuerza muscular, la frecuencia cardiaca y la concentración sanguínea de lactato de los combatientes. A pesar de ello, la percepción subjetiva de esfuerzo de los combatientes no es acorde a la respuesta fisiológica que presentaron, siendo esta percepción subjetiva de esfuerzo inferior a la respuesta fisiológica evaluada. Además el procesamiento de la información y la activación cortical disminuyen después de realizar las tres simulaciones de combate. Estos resultados ponen de manifiesto la respuesta psico-fisiológica de los combatientes durante el combate, ayudando así a su mejor comprensión y posibilitando una mejora de los actuales métodos de entrenamiento de los combatientesCurrent armed conflicts are asymmetrical and are developed in urban areas. These new requirements have not been studied for current literature. The aim of this study was to analyse changes in cortical arousal, blood lactate, muscle strength, autonomic modulation and rate of perceived exertion in a simulated urban combat. We analyzed 20 soldiers before and after an urban combat simulation. The results showed how urban combat produced high sympathetic nervous system activation, increasing the muscle strength, heart rate and blood lactate concentration of the soldiers. Despite this effort, rate of perceived exertion were not consistent with the physiological response that soldiers presented, the rate of perceived exertion was lower than the physiological response evaluated. Furthermore, the information processing and cortical arousal decreased after the urban combat simulation. These results have showed the psycho-physiological response of soldiers in combat, helping to better understanding and enabling an improvement of current training methods of soldiers

Traditional periodization upgrade sport performance and heart rate variability of experienced triathletes

Periodization of athletic training is conceptualized as a pedagogical process, which involves varying volume, intensity and frequency of training in attempt to optimize sporting performance. The primary purpose of this research was compares change in running and swimming performance, after 36 weeks of intervention program of 17 weeks traditional periodization (TP) followed to a 17 weeks period of Polarized training distribution(POL). The secondary purpose was to examine changes in heart rate variability. There were eight healthy welltrained triathletes, with average 9 years of experience training for a competition (36.2 ± 4.8 years; 173.5 ± 12 cm; 73.1 ± 2.6 kg). Results after 36 weeks of study showed exhibit significant (pSin financiaciónNo data JCR 2017No data SJR 2017No data IDR 2017UE

Respuesta Psico-fisiológica de soldados en combate urbano

Current armed conflicts are asymmetrical and are developed m urban areas. These new requirements have not been studied for current literature. The aim of this study was to analyse changes in cortical arousal, blood lactate, muscle strength, autonomic modulation and rate of perceived exertion in a simulated urban combat. We analyzed 20 soldiers before and after an urban combat simulation. The results showed how urban combat produced high sympathetic nervous system activation, increasing the muscle strength, heart rate and blood lactate concentration of the soldiers. Despite this effort, rate of perceived exertion were not consistent with the physiological response that soldiers presented, the rate of perceived exertion was lower than the physiological response evaluated. Furthermore, the information processing and cortical arousal decreased after the urban combat simulation. These results have showed the psycho-physiological response of soldiers in combat, helping to better understanding and enabling an improvement of current training methods of soldiers

Monitorización psicofisiológica en un curso de selección de operación especial.

The present research aimed: i. to analyse the psychophysiological response of soldiers undertaking a special operation selection course; ii. to study the relationship between fat and muscle loss and the psychophysiological response of soldiers undertaking a special operation selection course. We analysed 46 professional soldiers from a special operations unit (25.1 ± 5.0 years, 1.8 ± 0.1 cm, 76.8 ± 7.9 kg, 24.4 ± 2.5 kg/m2) undertaking the last phase of their 10 weeks special operation selection course. Before and immediately after the exercise the following variables were assessed: Stress subjective perception, fatigue subjective perception, rating of perceived perception, cortical arousal, body temperature, blood oxygen saturation, spirometry, isometric hand strength, lower body muscular strength, urine, body composition, life engagement test, coping flexibility scale, acceptance and action questionnaire, perceived stress scale, anxiety state, visual analogue scale and differential aptitude test. A special operation selection course induced an intense stress and physical response as suggested by the psychophysiological changes with a significant (p < 0.05) increase in fatigue and stress subjective perception, blood oxygen saturation, Ph, cognitive impairment and motivation-loss. Moreover, decreased leg strength, peak expiratory flow, cortical arousal, body composition, body weight, fat and muscle mass, anxiety stress, alertness, sadness and tension decreased after the exercise. Regarding body composition, higher muscle mass loss participants were related to a higher cognitive impairment and similar psychophysiological response than lower fat mass loss participants.La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo: i. analizar la respuesta psicofisiológica de los soldados que realizan un curso especial de selección de operaciones; ii. para estudiar la relación entre la pérdida de grasa y músculo y la respuesta psicofisiológica de los soldados que realizan un curso de selección de operaciones especiales. Analizamos 46 soldados profesionales de una unidad de operaciones especiales (25.1 ± 5.0 años, 1.8 ± 0.1 cm, 76.8 ± 7.9 kg, 24.4 ± 2.5 kg / m2) que realizaron la última fase de su curso de selección de operación especial de 10 semanas. Antes e inmediatamente después del ejercicio, se evaluaron las siguientes variables: percepción subjetiva de estrés, percepción subjetiva de fatiga, clasificación de percepción percibida, activación cortical, temperatura corporal, saturación de oxígeno en la sangre, espirometría, fuerza isométrica de las manos, fuerza muscular de la parte inferior del cuerpo, orina, composición corporal , prueba de compromiso vital, escala de flexibilidad de afrontamiento, cuestionario de aceptación y acción, escala de estrés percibido, estado de ansiedad, escala analógica visual y prueba de aptitud diferencial. Un curso de selección de operación especial indujo un estrés intenso y una respuesta física como lo sugieren los cambios psicofisiológicos con un aumento significativo (p <0.05) en la percepción subjetiva de fatiga y estrés, saturación de oxígeno en la sangre, Ph, deterioro cognitivo y pérdida de la motivación. Además, disminuyó la fuerza de las piernas, el flujo espiratorio máximo, la excitación cortical, la composición corporal, el peso corporal, la masa muscular y grasa, el estrés por ansiedad, el estado de alerta, la tristeza y la tensión disminuyeron después del ejercicio. Con respecto a la composición corporal, los participantes con mayor pérdida de masa muscular se relacionaron con un mayor deterioro cognitivo y una respuesta psicofisiológica similar a los participantes con menor pérdida de masa grasa