Visual symptoms and G-induced loss of consciousness in 594 Chinese Air Force aircrew--a questionnaire survey

Mil Med. 2012 Feb;177(2):163-8. doi: 10.7205/milmed-d-11-00003.

Abstract

A questionnaire survey was performed for the first time to assess the prevalence of visual symptoms and G-induced loss of consciousness (G-LOC) due to +Gz exposure in the Chinese Air Force (CAF) to determine the effectiveness of current G tolerance training. Responses were received from 594 individuals. Among them, 302 reported at least one episode of some sort of symptoms related to +Gz, including 110 (18.5%) with visual blurring, 231 (38.9%) with greyout, 111 (18.7%) with blackout, and 49 (8.2%) with G-LOC. Incidences were most common in aircrew with 250-1,000 flying hours (53.6%) and were more prevalent in those with fewer on type flying hours (p < 0.001). The most common situation was reported between +5 and 5.9 Gz. The results indicate a fairly high prevalence of visual symptoms and G-LOC among Chinese Air Force aircrew. There remains considerable scope for +Gz education, particularly in the early centrifuge training and selection of rational physical exercises.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aerospace Medicine
  • Aviation*
  • China / epidemiology
  • Gravitation
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Hypergravity / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Military Personnel
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Unconsciousness / epidemiology
  • Unconsciousness / etiology
  • Vision Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Vision Disorders / etiology*
  • Visual Acuity
  • Young Adult