Influence and evaluation of pilots' performance status under mental fatigue

FAN Jieyi; CHENG Shan; YANG Kejian; XIE Manjiang; LI Jinsheng; HU Wendong

Abstract：Objective To make a comparative analysis of the changes of reaction time and static postural ability in the state of mental fatigue induced by fight mission and assess the sensitivity of postural ability test and reaction time test in order to help establish objective indexes for monitoring the performance status of pilots.MethodsBefore and after the flight, nine-light reaction test and static balance test were performed on pilots, involving standing straight on the test platform while looking ahead(NO)and standing on pillows with eyes open. Analysis indicators of reaction time test were the correct answer rate, the average time before the first response to a question and the average time taken to give a correct answer. Analysis indicators of postural ability test were the whole path length, effective value area, circumference area and unit area path length. The data was processed using independent sample T test statistical analysis.ResultsAfter flight missions, the average time before the first response to a question and the average time taken to give a correct answer changed(P<0.05), but there was no obvious change in the correct answer rate. The moving trajectory of all indicators of static balance test tended to change, but the difference was not statistically significant.ConclusionReaction time is sensitive indicator of the state of mental fatigue, and whether static balance ability can serve as an index of mental fatigue needs to be further studied.