Effects of high-gravity acceleration forces and anti-gravity maneuver on the cardiac function of fighter pilots

Abstract The fighter pilots exposed to high gravitational (G) acceleration must perform anti-G maneuvers similar to the Valsalva maneuver. However, the effects of high-G acceleration and anti-G maneuvers on cardiac function have rarely been studied. This study aimed to investigate the effects of hig...

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Main Authors: Moon-Seung Soh, Jae-Hyuk Jang, Jin-Sun Park, Joon-Han Shin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2024-04-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-59274-2
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author Moon-Seung Soh
Jae-Hyuk Jang
Jin-Sun Park
Joon-Han Shin
author_facet Moon-Seung Soh
Jae-Hyuk Jang
Jin-Sun Park
Joon-Han Shin
author_sort Moon-Seung Soh
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The fighter pilots exposed to high gravitational (G) acceleration must perform anti-G maneuvers similar to the Valsalva maneuver. However, the effects of high-G acceleration and anti-G maneuvers on cardiac function have rarely been studied. This study aimed to investigate the effects of high-G forces on cardiac function of fighter pilots. Fighter pilots who underwent regular health check-ups and echocardiography were included (n = 29; 100% men, 41 ± 10 years old; mean flight time, 1821 ± 1186 h). Trainees who had not experienced any flights were included in the control group (n = 16; 100% men, 36 ± 17 years old). Echocardiographic data included left ventricular chamber size, systolic and diastolic functions, right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), inferior vena cava (IVC) collapsibility, and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE). No significant differences in left ventricular ejection fraction, RVSP, or IVC collapsibility were observed between two groups. In the multivariate linear regression analysis with total flight time as an independent continuous variable for fighter pilots, TAPSE was positively correlated with total flight time. The experience of fighter pilots who were exposed to high-G acceleration forces and anti-G maneuvers did not cause cardiac structural changes, but the exposure might be associated with right heart function changes.
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spelling doaj.art-7fa57cd8ff094a53b4671cdd87b816f72024-04-21T11:14:57ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-04-011411710.1038/s41598-024-59274-2Effects of high-gravity acceleration forces and anti-gravity maneuver on the cardiac function of fighter pilotsMoon-Seung Soh0Jae-Hyuk Jang1Jin-Sun Park2Joon-Han Shin3Department of Cardiology, Ajou University School of MedicineDivision of Cardiology, Uijeongbu St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of KoreaDepartment of Cardiology, Ajou University School of MedicineDepartment of Cardiology, Ajou University School of MedicineAbstract The fighter pilots exposed to high gravitational (G) acceleration must perform anti-G maneuvers similar to the Valsalva maneuver. However, the effects of high-G acceleration and anti-G maneuvers on cardiac function have rarely been studied. This study aimed to investigate the effects of high-G forces on cardiac function of fighter pilots. Fighter pilots who underwent regular health check-ups and echocardiography were included (n = 29; 100% men, 41 ± 10 years old; mean flight time, 1821 ± 1186 h). Trainees who had not experienced any flights were included in the control group (n = 16; 100% men, 36 ± 17 years old). Echocardiographic data included left ventricular chamber size, systolic and diastolic functions, right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), inferior vena cava (IVC) collapsibility, and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE). No significant differences in left ventricular ejection fraction, RVSP, or IVC collapsibility were observed between two groups. In the multivariate linear regression analysis with total flight time as an independent continuous variable for fighter pilots, TAPSE was positively correlated with total flight time. The experience of fighter pilots who were exposed to high-G acceleration forces and anti-G maneuvers did not cause cardiac structural changes, but the exposure might be associated with right heart function changes.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-59274-2PilotEchocardiographyGravity acceleration forcesValsalva maneuver
spellingShingle Moon-Seung Soh
Jae-Hyuk Jang
Jin-Sun Park
Joon-Han Shin
Effects of high-gravity acceleration forces and anti-gravity maneuver on the cardiac function of fighter pilots
Scientific Reports
Pilot
Echocardiography
Gravity acceleration forces
Valsalva maneuver
title Effects of high-gravity acceleration forces and anti-gravity maneuver on the cardiac function of fighter pilots
title_full Effects of high-gravity acceleration forces and anti-gravity maneuver on the cardiac function of fighter pilots
title_fullStr Effects of high-gravity acceleration forces and anti-gravity maneuver on the cardiac function of fighter pilots
title_full_unstemmed Effects of high-gravity acceleration forces and anti-gravity maneuver on the cardiac function of fighter pilots
title_short Effects of high-gravity acceleration forces and anti-gravity maneuver on the cardiac function of fighter pilots
title_sort effects of high gravity acceleration forces and anti gravity maneuver on the cardiac function of fighter pilots
topic Pilot
Echocardiography
Gravity acceleration forces
Valsalva maneuver
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-59274-2
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