Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Graduate
Project Type
group
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Toni Butler, Graduate student
Lead Presenter's Name
Toni Butler
Lead Presenter's College
DB College of Arts and Sciences
Faculty Mentor Name
Dr. Scott Ferguson
Abstract
Impact of acute flight training stress on cardiovascular health: A pilot study Toni C. Butler, Carolina R. P. Ferreira, Bryan W. Hinton, Noah J. Robbins, Sophia R. Vaden, Andrew H. Schneider, Scott K. Ferguson, Ph.D. Cardiovascular conditions are among the most common medical issues in certificated pilots and a major source of certification scrutiny. Student pilots experience unique acute stressors during flight training that may influence both physiological and psychological health. Acute stress is known to affect cardiovascular function, including vascular endothelial health; however, the impact of flight training–related stress on cardiovascular function remains poorly characterized. This pilot study tested the hypothesis that acute stress from a single flight training session would reduce vascular endothelial function, assessed via post-occlusive reactive hyperemia (PORH). Using a repeated-measures, within-subjects design, three healthy student pilots (2 men, 1 woman; 18 ± 0 years) were evaluated before and after a routine flight training sortie. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) measured tissue oxygenation (StO₂) in the brachioradialis muscle. Arterial occlusion was induced using a Hokanson Rapid Cuff Inflation system to quantify PORH via reoxygenation slope, peak hyperemia, and area under the curve (AUC). Subjective stress was assessed pre- and post-flight using a single-item questionnaire. Following the flight session, two participants exhibited reductions in peak hyperemia (−3.03% and −6.63%) and reoxygenation slope (−34% and −31.5%). Two participants also showed decreased AUC, with the largest reduction at 17.5%; mean AUC declined by ~9%. Self-reported stress varied without a consistent pattern. These preliminary findings suggest that acute flight training may alter peripheral vascular endothelial function. Ongoing data collection in a larger cohort will determine the consistency and magnitude of these effects. This work may help clarify the role of flight training stress in cardiovascular risk and inform targeted mitigation strategies in pilot populations.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
No
Included in
Impact of acute flight training stress on cardiovascular health: A pilot study
Impact of acute flight training stress on cardiovascular health: A pilot study Toni C. Butler, Carolina R. P. Ferreira, Bryan W. Hinton, Noah J. Robbins, Sophia R. Vaden, Andrew H. Schneider, Scott K. Ferguson, Ph.D. Cardiovascular conditions are among the most common medical issues in certificated pilots and a major source of certification scrutiny. Student pilots experience unique acute stressors during flight training that may influence both physiological and psychological health. Acute stress is known to affect cardiovascular function, including vascular endothelial health; however, the impact of flight training–related stress on cardiovascular function remains poorly characterized. This pilot study tested the hypothesis that acute stress from a single flight training session would reduce vascular endothelial function, assessed via post-occlusive reactive hyperemia (PORH). Using a repeated-measures, within-subjects design, three healthy student pilots (2 men, 1 woman; 18 ± 0 years) were evaluated before and after a routine flight training sortie. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) measured tissue oxygenation (StO₂) in the brachioradialis muscle. Arterial occlusion was induced using a Hokanson Rapid Cuff Inflation system to quantify PORH via reoxygenation slope, peak hyperemia, and area under the curve (AUC). Subjective stress was assessed pre- and post-flight using a single-item questionnaire. Following the flight session, two participants exhibited reductions in peak hyperemia (−3.03% and −6.63%) and reoxygenation slope (−34% and −31.5%). Two participants also showed decreased AUC, with the largest reduction at 17.5%; mean AUC declined by ~9%. Self-reported stress varied without a consistent pattern. These preliminary findings suggest that acute flight training may alter peripheral vascular endothelial function. Ongoing data collection in a larger cohort will determine the consistency and magnitude of these effects. This work may help clarify the role of flight training stress in cardiovascular risk and inform targeted mitigation strategies in pilot populations.