RESULTS In maintaining flight performance, the VR group, respectively, had 8% and 10% higher scores for altitude and speed than the non-VR group. The self-evaluation scores were lowest for Coriolis, while Graveyard Spin was scored lowest in the instructor evaluations. Regarding mental stress, the VR group tended to have higher HFs and lower LF/HF ratios among HRV measures than the non-VR group, and an 11% lower perceived distress score. The highest perceived distress score was for Coriolis.DISCUSSION We suggest that pilots can be assisted to understand and overcome SD situations through VR.Kang Y, Yun MH, Kim S. Verbal reports influence on pilot flight performance and mental stress under spatial disorientation. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2020; 91(12)948955.BACKGROUND In their working life, airline pilots are exposed to particular risk factors that promote nonspecific low back pain (LBP). Because of the varying incidence internationally, we evaluated the point prevalences of acute, subacute, and chronic nonspecific LBP, as well as the current prevalences in German airline pilots. Furthermore, we compared the prevalence to the general German population and to European counterparts.METHODS An anonymous online survey of 698 participating German airline pilots was evaluated. The impairment between groups was analyzed. Prevalences from our data were compared to existing data.RESULTS The following point prevalences were found 8.2% acute, 2.4% subacute, 82.7% chronic LBP; 74.1% of all individuals were suffering from current LBP when answered the questionnaire. A total time spent flying greater than 600 h within the last 12 mo was significantly related to acute nonspecific LBP. Individuals with any type of LBP were significantly impaired compared to those unaffected. It was found that German airline pilots suffer more often from current LBP than the general population and have a higher point prevalence of total LBP than their European counterparts.CONCLUSIONS The evaluation showed a surprisingly high, previously unidentified, prevalence of nonspecific LBP in German airline pilots. Why German airline pilots suffer more often from LBP remains uncertain. The number of flying hours appears to have a negative effect on developing acute low back pain, but causation cannot be concluded. Other risk factors could not be confirmed.Albermann M, Lehmann M, Eiche C, Schmidt J, Prottengeier J. Low back pain in commercial airline pilots. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2020; 91(12)940947.INTRODUCTION Pilot workload assessment plays an important role on flight safety evaluation, interface design, and airworthiness certification. The design of an effective and reliable workload assessment method is a difficult problem in the human factors field.METHOD This study proposed to assess pilot workload from four dimensions cognitive activity, control activity, stress, and flight performance. A set of physiological, behavioral, and flight parameters were recorded and combined hierarchically to achieve overall workload assessment. A simulated flight experiment consisting of three flight phases (standard instrument departure, autopilot cruise, and nonprecision approach) was conducted to test the effectiveness of the proposed workload assessment method.RESULT Experimental results determined the changes of each objective measure. The overall workload index could significantly distinguish the difference in workload caused by changing task difficulty and the result was consistent with the NASA-TLX. The four workload dimensions provided detailed differences about workload during nonprecision approach there were more control activities and stress than in other flight phases; during autopilot cruise there were the least control activities and the highest flight performance. The correlation between workload dimensions provided extra diagnostic information the cognitive and control activities in the approach phase were more stressful than in the takeoff phase; the correlation between control activity and performance was higher in the approach phase than in the takeoff phase.CONCLUSION This study proposed an effective pilot workload assessment method which could also provide detailed and diagnostic information. It could be used as an auxiliary tool for the development and evaluation of pilot-cockpit interaction.Wang Z, Lu Y, Fu S. A multidimensional method for pilot workload assessment and diagnosis. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2020; 91(12)932939.BACKGROUND NASA has been making efforts to assess the carbon dioxide (CO₂) washout capability of spacesuits using a standard CO₂ sampling protocol. This study established the methodology for determining the partial pressure of inspired CO₂ (PIco₂) in a pressurized spacesuit. We applied the methodology to characterize PIco₂ for the extravehicular mobility unit (EMU).METHODS We suggested an automated and mathematical algorithm to find the end-tidal CO₂ and the end of inspiration. We provided objective and standardized guidelines to identify acceptable breath traces, which are essential to accurate and reproducible calculation of the in-suit inhaled and exhaled partial pressure of CO₂ (Pco₂). The mouth guard-based method for measurement of inhaled and exhaled dry-gas Pco₂ was described. We calculated all individual concentrations of PIco₂ inhaled by 19 healthy subjects classified into 3 fitness groups. The transcutaneous Pco₂ was monitored as a secondary measure to validate washout performance.RESULTS Mean and svels in the extravehicular mobility unit. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2020; 91(12)923931.BACKGROUND At sea level, performing chest compressions is a demanding physical exercise.  https://www.selleckchem.com/btk.html  On a commercial flight at cruise altitude, the barometric pressure in the cabin is approximately equal to an altitude of 2438 m. This results in a Po₂ equivalent to breathing an FIo₂ of 15% at sea level, a condition under which both the duration and quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may deteriorate. We hypothesized that rescuers will be able to perform fewer rounds of high-quality CPR at an FIo₂ of 15%.METHODS In this crossover simulation trial, 16 healthy volunteers participated in 2 separate sessions and performed up to 14 2-min rounds of chest compressions at an FIo₂ of either 0.15 or 0.21 in randomized order. Subjects were stopped if their Spo₂ was below 80%, if chest compression rate or depth was not achieved for 2/3 of compressions, or if they felt fatigued or dyspneic.RESULTS Fewer rounds of chest compressions were successfully completed in the hypoxic than in the normoxic condition, (median [IQR] 4.5 [3,8.