Simulated flight path control of fighter pilots and novice subjects at +3 Gz in a human centrifuge.

Background: We have previously shown that subjects produce exaggerated manual forces in +3 Gz. When subjects execute discrete flight path changes in a flight simulator, their performance is less stable in +3 Gz than in +1 Gz. Here we explore whether Gz-related deficits are found with continuous flight path changes.

Stability of simulated flight path control at +3 Gz in a human centrifuge.

Introduction: Earlier studies have shown that naïve subjects and experienced jet pilots produce exaggerated manual forces when exposed to increased acceleration (+Gz). This study was designed to evaluate whether this exaggeration affects the stability of simulated flight path control.

Methods: We evaluated naïve subjects' performance in a flight simulator which either remained stationary (+1 Gz), or rotated to induce an acceleration in accordance to the simulated flight path with a mean acceleration of about +3 Gz.

Visual field motion effects on the production of manual forces and displacements.

Background: We have previously shown that subjects produce exaggerated arm forces when exposed to three times the normal gravitational acceleration (+3 Gz), and that this deficit is not related to direct mechanical effects, faulty proprioception, or increased cognitive load. Here we investigate whether it is related to vestibular activity.

Methods: Novice subjects observed a stationary, upward or downward moving visual field while producing pretrained arm forces (Exp.

Artificial gravity results in changes in frontal lobe activity measured by EEG tomography.

Mental and perceptual motor performance has been reported to be impaired during hypergravity. Current research has focused on physiological explanations (e.g.

The effect of parabolic flight on perceived physical, motivational and psychological state in men and women: correlation with neuroendocrine stress parameters and electrocortical activity.

Previous findings of decreased mental and perceptual motor performance during parabolic flights have been attributed mainly to the primary effects of weightlessness rather than the accompanying effects of stress and altered mood. Although recent studies have alluded to the possible negative effects of stress on performance, there has been no attempt to investigate this during parabolic flights. Over a period of 3 years, 27 human participants (male n = 18, mean age +/- SD 34.

Centrifugal acceleration to 3Gz is related to increased release of stress hormones and decreased mood in men and women.

It has been suggested that the central and peripheral neural processes (CPNP) are affected by gravitational changes. Based on the previous experiments during parabolic flights, central and peripheral changes may not only be due to the changed gravitational forces but also due to neuroendocrine reactions related to the psycho-physiological consequences of gravitational changes. The present study focuses on the interaction of neuroendocrine changes and the physical and mental states after acceleration to three-time terrestrial gravity (3Gz).

Motor performance and motor learning in sustained +3 Gz acceleration.

Introduction: Previous studies have shown that increased head-to-foot acceleration (+Gz) like that experienced in maneuvering aircraft impairs motor performance. However, there are few studies of motor performance providing detailed descriptions of specific deficits (e.g.

Isometric force production in experienced fighter pilots during +3 Gz centrifuge acceleration.

Introduction: Previously, we have shown that naïve subjects produce exaggerated isometric forces when exposed to increased acceleration (+Gz) for the first time. The present study investigates whether +G,-experienced PA-200 Tornado pilots show similar deficits.

Methods: Experiments were conducted in the stationary (+1 Gz) or rotating (+3 Gz) gondola of a human-rated centrifuge.

Acceleration effects on manual performance with isometric and displacement joysticks.

Background: We have shown before that novice human subjects produce exaggerated isometric forces when exposed to three times normal terrestrial acceleration (+3 Gz), and that this deficit is compensated by intensive training in +3 Gz. We now investigate whether training in normal terrestrial gravity (normal G) is also effective. We further examine whether subjects in +3 Gz produce not only exaggerated forces, but also exaggerated hand displacements.