Correlations between multi-dimensional physiological indicators in military aircrews based on bioelectrical impedance analysis
LI Lulu
YANG Xiang
HE Li
MIAO Dongmei
JIANG Chunru
SHI Binbin
Abstract：Objective To analyze the body composition of military aviators.Methods A total of 184 aviators who visited the Aircrew Department of the Air Force Hospital of the Eastern Theater Command between June and December 2024 were enrolled and divided into a fighter pilot group(n=85)and a bomber/transport/helicopter(B/T/H)aircrew group(n=99).Basic information was collected,and body composition was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis.Multiple linear regression was employed to analyze the body composition of military aviators.Results Statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in age and hours of flight(Z=-7.813,-7.185,both P＜0.001).Significant differences were also found in body mass index,InBody scores,body fat percentage,muscle percentage of right and left lower limbs,visceral fat areas,trunk fat percentage,fat percentage of right and left upper limbs,fat percentage of right and left lower limbs,the waist-to hip ratio and the extracellular water ratio(t=2.990-6.667,all P＜0.05).However,no significant differences were observed in smoking status,skeletal muscle mass,skeletal muscle mass indexes,basal metabolic rates,or muscle percentages of the upper limbs and trunk(x2/t=0.808-1.723,all P＞0.05).Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the types of aircraft impacted all dependent variables except the muscle percentage of right and left lower limbs(B=-2.977-29.140,all P＜0.05).Age made a huge difference in all dependent variables except for the fat percentage of left lower limbs(B=-0.384-1.923,all P＜0.05).BMI had significant effects on all dependent variables except the extracellular water ratio and muscle percentage of right and left lower limbs(B=0.005-21.720,all P＜0.05).Hours of flight showed no significant association with any of the dependent variables(all P＞0.05).Conclusion Age is a big contributor to muscle loss in aviators.Fighter pilots generally have healthier body composition profiles than B/T/H aircrews.It is recommended that fighter pilots enhance core muscle resistance training,and that B/T/H aircrews focus on visceral fat reduction and dietary modifications.
Keywords：Body composition analysisHealth care managementDisease predictionMilitary aircrews
Publication Date：2025-12-25
Online Publishing Date：2026-03-31(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：5( 560-564 )