Low Back Pain Prevalence in Brazilian Helicopter Pilots

Abstract

Studies have suggested a higher prevalence of low back pain in helicopter pilots when compared to the general population. This work aims to study the frequency distribution of recurrent low back pain observed in civilian and military helicopter pilots. To carry out the survey, a self-reported questionnaire was applied to 197 helicopter pilots, of which 106 were military personnel and 91 were civilians. The questionnaire was the same used by da Silva 2018 and Bongers et al. 1990. The data collected were: age, weight, height, total flight hours in rotary-wing aircraft, average hours flown per week, level of Physical activity, characteristics, intensity and region of pain, its relationship with flight, etc. Of the 197 tabulated questionnaires, the prevalence of low back pain of 44.6% and spinal pain of 54.2% were found, and of this group, 98.15% reported pain during or immediately after the flight, and only less than 2.0% affirms that the referred pain has no connection with air activity. These data confirm those found in the literature. The present study is part of an investigation process that, through the analysis and interpretation of the collected data, aims to provide subsidies for a future elaboration of a specific physical exercise program for the reduction of low back pain in helicopter pilots.

Incidence of cervical and lumbar spine injuries in Brazilian air force helicopter pilots

“…These same authors agree that only specific exercises can strengthen these muscles and prevent and treat this disorder. 9,[19][20][21][22][23] This consensus is corroborated by Da Silva 24 when he verified that the fact that his sample was physically active did not influence the prevalence of LBG and, in another study, Da Silva 25 compared two groups of FAB PH (n=77) for a period of 12 weeks, where the experimental group (EG) carried out a specific program to reduce LBP (n=38) and the comparison group (CG -n=39) carried out generalized exercises (physical education classes), and found a 36% reduction in the pain levels of those who carried out the specific exercise program when compared to the group that did not.…”

“…According to Bowden, 26 one possible explanation for this result could be the high load that the structures of the spine are subjected to as a result of the high speed and the force of gravity that occurs during maneuvers in a fighter jet and which possibly results in permanent damage to the spine, causing chronic pain. 24 However, although helicopter vibration is more persistent, the load is less severe, and the great strain on the spine is due to posture and vibration, causing pain during or immediately after the exercise of aerial activity and ceasing after a period of between one and two hours of rest (recurrent pain).…”

“…Low back pain (pain in the lower back) is one of the most common back problems in Western society, affecting approximately 80 to 85% of the population. 8 Many countries, such as the United States, Norway and Israel, have invested in research into the occurrence of low back pain in their airmen and have come to Agatha AM Faria, 1 Délio TM Malaquias, 1 João Paulo Pinelli Santos, 1 Juliana Paschoal, 1 Guilherme I Santos, 1 Thalita PM Alineri, 1 Isabelle P Santos, 1 Ana Clara P R De Souza, 1 Maria Clara G Costa, 1 Ana Carolina RV Rodrigues, 2 Giovana C Bitolo, 2 Christopher AP Lima, 2 Thiago G Trigueiro, 3 Hiromi M K Fujishima, 3 Liliana M Occulate, 4 Hamilton RMO Carriço, 5 Lucas V de Melo, 1 Isabela MM da Cunha, 1 Giovana R Victorello, 1 Leonardo T Da Silva, 1 Victória BS Miguel, 1 Jenyffer VC Villca, 1 Bruna D Araujo, 1 Maria Gabriela S Guzzi, 1 Camila S da Costa, 1 Guilherme G Martins, 1 Jade P Torres, 1 Daniela SBL Dos Santos, 1 Brenda MMR de Oliveira, 1 Isabela F Krebs, 1 Talita RQ Lopes, 1 Maria PM Nogueira, 1 Júlio E Calheiros, 1 Elysa F Camargo, 1 Isabeli G de Oliveira, 1 Natália L Medici, 1 Samantha RG Sanches, 1 Adriana F Viana Delgado, 1 Thiago AR Bezerra, 6 Leonardo Mendes Faria consider it a primary health problem, which has a major influence on flight safety and the operability of the Air Forces. [9][10][11][12][13] In the Norwegian Air Force, low back pain is considered to be a primary health problem among rotary-wing pilots and somewhat less serious among other crew members, with the most important etiological factor being the asymmetrical posture adopted by this class of pilots.…”

“…In addition to the elderly, research also reports an increase in complaints among active workers. 2 According to Strauss, maintaining a good state of health for pilots is related to physical conditioning compatible with the demands of their activity, duration and quality of flight, contributing to favorable conditions for increasing resistance to flight fatigue. Figure 1 shows some of the most frequent disorders related to military pilots.…”

Assessment of Low Back Pain in Helicopter Pilots Using Electrical Bio-Impedance Technique: A Feasibility Study

“…Low back pain (LBP) is a recurrent or sometimes persistent disorder defined as the pain localized between the 12th rib and the inferior gluteal folds, which has been one of the most common musculoskeletal diseases worldwide ( Krismer and van Tulder, 2007 ; Wu et al, 2020 ). For helicopter pilots, due to prolonged exposure to whole-body vibration of high-intensity and confined sitting posture, they complain about LBP frequently ( Posch et al, 2019 ; da Silva, 2020 ). LBP poses a serious threat to helicopter pilots because it can impair the operational capabilities closely related to flight safety, such as attention, motion control and postural stability ( Harrison et al, 2009 ; Gaydos, 2012 ).…”