Accession Number:

AD1000883

Title:

The Influence of Neck Posture and Helmet Configuration on Neck Muscle Demands

Descriptive Note:

Technical Report

Corporate Author:

University of Waterloo Waterloo, Ontario Canada

Personal Author(s):

• Callaghan,Jack P.

Report Date:

2014-06-22

Pagination or Media Count:

125.0

Abstract:

Neck pain and associated musculoskeletal injuries are substantial issues for occupations requiring the use of heavy helmets such as military pilots. Between 43 to 97 of military helicopter and aircraft pilots experience acute neck pain during or shortly after flight Lange et al., 2011 Van Den Oord et al., 2010 Salmon et al., 2011. Indeed, the prevalence of neck injury in pilots ranges from 10 to 60 depending on the injury definition and the type of aircraft pilotedAydog et al., 2004 Schall, 1989 Vanderbeek, 1988 Pippig and Kriebel, 2000 Petrn-Mallminand Linder, 1999, 2001 Hmlinen et al., 1993 Hendriksen and Holewijn, 1999. Specifically for Canadian Forces CF pilots and flight engineers, neck pain and muscle fatigue are common with over 80 of CH146 Griffon helicopter pilots and flight engineers reporting neck pain associated with in-flight task demands Bridger et al., 2002. Chronic pain is also an issue, as DeLoose et al. 2008 reported an 18.9 1-year prevalence of self-reported neck pain in a survey of military aircraft pilots. Neck injuries create a major socioeconomic burden for injured personnel, their spouses, and society in general Jennum et al. 2013. Consequently, there is a need to consider interventions to reduce the risk of work-related neck Musculoskeletal Disorders MSDfor military pilots and flight engineers.

Descriptors:

• neck(anatomy)
• pain
• musculoskeletal systems
• pilots
• flight helmets
• wounds and injuries
• posture(physiology)

Subject Categories:

• Medicine and Medical Research
• Anatomy and Physiology

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE