Date of Award

2001

Document Type

Thesis

Publisher

Edith Cowan University

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science Honours

School

School of Exercise, Biomedical and Health Sciences

Faculty

Faculty of Communications, Health and Science

First Supervisor

Dr Fiona Naumann

Second Supervisor

Dr Angus Burnett

Abstract

External stimulus/loading initiates adaptations within skeletal muscle. Whilst performing flying manoeuvres under +Gz it has been previously found that the cervical area has the highest loading. The purpose of this study was to examine cervical muscle response to moderate +Gz force (+4-6Gz) loading generated during RAAF pilot training. Cervical muscle strength was monitored in nine RAAF pilots completing an eight-month flight training course and ten controls matched for gender, age, height and weight. Cervical muscle strength and range of movement were measured at baseline and at eight months using the Multi-Cervical Rehabilitation Unit (Hanoun, Canada). Also measured, using EMG, was the activation of sternocleidomastoid and erector spinae muscles for a test pilot during simulated flight training. The statistical procedure used was a comparison in the difference between the pilots and control subjects for baseline and post-testing in neck strength and range of movement using an unpaired t-test. Statistical significance was accepted at p

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