Body Composition Symmetry in Aircraft Pilots

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the body composition symmetry in upper and lower body segments of aircrafts pilots. To reach the study aim, body composition in upper and lower body segments of 206 male aircraft pilots of the Spanish Army (23.1 ± 6.87 years) and 105 civilians (24.0 ± 6.29 years) were evaluated by a bioimpedance analyser (InBody 720, Biospace Co. Ltd., Seoul, Korea). Aircraft pilots presented a tendency to dysmetria in upper and lower body segments, showing fitter values in the protagonist side when performing flight functions. Dysmetria could be detrimental during flight manoeuvres and produce injuries in aircraft pilots. It would be recommended to design specific training protocols to improve this imbalance.

Some Insights Regarding Symmetry Relevance in Biomedicine

“…In addition to several psycho-physiological stressors (sleep, water and food deprivation; weather-driven hypothermia and dehydration; and altitude-driven hypoxia), aircraft pilots are confined to small cabins with controls on one side. Curiel-Regueros et al [12] published a research article on body-composition (static) symmetry in male aircraft pilots, assessed using a bioimpedance analyzer. They found some insignificant inter-side asymmetry in all the assessed body segments (i.e., the upper and lower limbs and the trunk), with healthier values in the aircraft cabin control side compared with (female and male non-pilot) controls.…”

“…They found some insignificant inter-side asymmetry in all the assessed body segments (i.e., the upper and lower limbs and the trunk), with healthier values in the aircraft cabin control side compared with (female and male non-pilot) controls. In terms of practical suggestions for asymmetry management regarding the relationship between symmetry and aircraft ergonomics, Curiel-Regueros et al [12] recommended continuing to research the topic and overcoming its limitations (i.e., by measuring skinfolds, using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and recruiting an all-male control group) and starting to assign pilots counter-asymmetry training protocols.…”