PREVALENCE OF ABNORMAL SPINAL FINDINGS IN ASYMPTOMATIC CANDIDATES FOR MILITARY PILOTS
Journal Title: The Polish Journal of Aviation Medicine, Bioengineering and Psychology - Year 2018, Vol 24, Issue 2
Abstract
Introduction: Spinal degenerative disease is a serious health problem in industrialized countries and is increasingly common among young adults. The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of occurrence of specific abnormalities in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results of the spinal column in young, asymptomatic candidates for piloting schools, taking into account their qualifications for training in supersonic airplanes based on medical opinion. Methods: The research material consisted of the results of an MRI exam of the spines of 181 people aged 19 to 20, who were declared to be incapable of training in high-maneuverability airplanes by the military aviation-medical commission, solely or inter alia on the basis of such tests. Results: The following were found: 72 hernias, 44 bulgings, 66 dehydration of spinal discs, 107 Schmorl nodules, 24 angiomas and 51 spinal bends. Single hernias were more than twice as frequent as the bulgings, the frequency of multiple hernias and bulgings was similar and the frequency of multiple Schmorl nodules was more than twice as high compared to that of multiple hernias and bulgings in conjunction. Their number and location in the spine were presented. Discussion: The study discusses the scale of the problem with regard to the data found in literature and the medical opinions – the piloting (including ethical–medical) aspect of the reported irregularities. The need to develop criteria for acceptable standards regarding changes in the MRI of the spinal column among candidates for training in high-maneuverability airplanes was indicated, taking into account not only their type, but also the degree of intensity.
Authors and Affiliations
Ewelina Zawadzka-Bartczak, Lech Kopka, Marcin Kopka
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP663662
- DOI 10.13174/pjambp.30.10.2019.01
- Views 67
- Downloads 0
The Emergence and Development of Space Psychology in Poland. The Significance of the Historical Space Flight of Mirosław Hermaszewski
Introduction. This article is a review attempting to assess the achievements of space psychology in Poland since the establishment and development of the discipline inspired by the historical space flight of the first Po...
COMPENSATION OF HEAD MOVEMENTS IN THE DATA REGISTERED WITH A HEADSET EYE TRACKER USING THE EVM* SOFTWARE PACKAGE
Introduction: Comparative analysis of the data gained from headset eye tracker during driving a motor vehicle (eg. plane or car) is exposed to numerous errors and approximations. It is caused by head movements of the pil...
HYPOXIA EXPOSURE AND WORKING MEMORY PERFORMANCE: A META-ANALYSIS
Introduction: Working memory (WM) is an essential component of situational awareness concept as well as one of the main executive functions in cognitive psychology. Exposure to hypoxia may affect those functions and dama...
RESILIENCE IN THE PROCESS OF COPING WITH TRAUMATIC SITUATIONS AMONG PILOTS IN THE MISSIONS OVERSEAS
Introduction: Resilience is a set of personality traits and abilities that enable coping with difficult situations as well as with the stress associated with them. The aim of this study was to characterize the resilience...
HAZARD PERCEPTION AND ANXIETY IN NOVICE AND EXPERIENCED PARACHUTISTS
Introduction: The article deals with the correlations between hazard perception and anxiety in parachutists.Theoretical background for the study is provided by Eysenck’s theory of personality and Spielberger’s theory of...