Cervical spine range of motion measurements in flight trainees
Zhai Jia
Li Kehua
Liu Feng
Zhu Wei
Yao Yongjie
Abstract：Objective To measure the range of cervical spine mobility in flight trainees and analyze its correlation with flight task performance.Methods A total of 55 participants were enrolled(30 in the experimental group,25 in the control group).An independently developed AI-based digital cervical spine function assessment system was used to measure rotational ranges in yaw,pitch,and roll directions,with comparative analysis performed against contralateral rotation.A subjective scoring scale was designed,and flight instructors of the experimental group were invited to provide performance ratings to explore the relationship between cervical mobility and flight task performance.Results Significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups in left rotation(P<0.01),right rotation(P<0.05),and flexion(P<0.05).Within the experimental group,significant differences were found between left and right rotation(P<0.01)and between flexion and extension(P<0.01).Correlation analysis between flight performance scores and cervical mobility revealed a significant association between situational awareness and yaw range(r=-0.415,P<0.05).Conclusion The experimental group exhibited significant differences in certain cervical mobility parameters compared to the control group,suggesting that occupational characteristics may influence cervical mobility.The correlation between yaw range and situational awareness implies a potential link between head-neck yaw capability and vestibular-visual system functions,though further validation is required.
Keywords：pilotcervical range of motionmusculoskeletal injuryvestibular function
Publication Date：2025-10-25
Online Publishing Date：2025-11-13(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：4( 435-438 )