raf physiotherapy led aircrew conditioning programme7... · neck pain & typhoon •performance...

RAF Centre of Aviation Medicine

RAF Physiotherapy Led

Aircrew Conditioning

Programme

Flt Lt Ellen Slungaard RAF PGDip MSc BSc(Hons) MMACP MCSP

Research Physiotherapist


Scope

• Background

• Typhoon

• Rotary

• Aircrew Conditioning Programme

• Components

• The Future

• Questions?


Background

• Neck pain most common

musculoskeletal problem amongst

military pilots & now more prevalent

than in general population (Ang & Harms-

Ringdahl, 2006).


Neck Pain & Typhoon

• Performance limited by the ability of

the pilot to work in a high G

environment

• 63% assoc neck pain with flying

Typhoon

• 80% report flying performance

affected

• Causes: High G & BFM (Typhoon Project, 2007).


Rotary

• Front crew seating

–Maladaptive posture

• Whole body vibration

• Rearcrew.


Aircrew Conditioning

Programme (ACP)

• Previous programme inadequate for

BFM

• No specific programme for rotary

• Periodised & structured programme

• Twice weekly for 4 weeks

• Measurable outcomes.


Components

• Flexibility Training

• Cardiovascular Training

• Stability Training

• Strength Training.


Flexibility

• Functional Movement Screening

(FMS)

• Delivers consistent, objective

feedback & measurable progress

• Individualised stretching

programmes.


Cardiovascular

• Aerobic

• Anaerobic

• Running-based Anaerobic Sprint Test

(RAST).


Stability

• Deep neck flexors

• Scapular stability

• Core stability

–Supine

–Standing

–Sitting on swiss ball.


Strength

• Upper quadrant

• Isometric neck loading in neutral

• Olympic lifting

• Posterior chain.


Lesson Plan

• Week 1

– Baseline testing, basic core & neck

• Week 2 & 3

– Basic HH neck, core, anaerobic, strength

• Week 4

– Complex HH neck, re-test FMS & RAST.


2B - HH C/Spine Walking


2A - HH C/Spine Flex, Kneeling

Trunk Flex


2A - HH C/Spine Ext, Kneeling

Trunk Ext


2A - HH C/Spine S/Flex, Kneeling

Trunk S/Flex


3A - HH C/Spine Ext, D/B Squat with

Shoulder Shrug


3A - HH C/Spine Flex, D/B Alt Lunge

with Shoulder Ext


3A - HH C/Spine S/Flex, D/B Trunk

Flex, Alt Shoulder Shrug


3B - HH C/Spine Flex, S/B Sitting, D/B

Lat Raise


3B - HH C/Spine S/Flex, S/B Sitting,

D/B Alt Bicep Curl


3B - HH C/Spine Ext, S/B Sitting, D/B

Alt Shoulder Ext


3B - HH C/Spine S/Flex, S/B Sitting,

Opp Pulley Single Arm Pull


4 – HH C/Spine S/Flex, S/B Sitting, D/B

Upright Row, Opp Pulley Lat Pull Back


Initial Neck Strength (BFJ)

0

5

10

15

20Flexion

R Anterio-Lateral Flexion

R Lateral Flexion

R Posterio-Lateral Flexion

Extension

L Posterio-Lateral Flexion

L Lateral Flexion

L Anterio-Lateral Flexion

Series1

Series2


Post ACP Neck Strength

0

5

10

15

20

25Flexion (best of 3)

R Anterio-Lateral Flexion

R Lateral Flexion (best of 3)

R Posterio-Lateral Flexion

Extension (best of 3)

L Posterio-Lateral Flexion

L Lateral Flexion (best of 3)

L Anterio-Lateral Flexion

Series1

Series2


Post ACP Rotary FMS

• 4 courses – 20 aircrew

• 17 completed course (85%)

• 16 re-tested FMS

• 15 improved FMS score

• 4 improved from <15 to >15

• 1.9 average increase in score.


The Future

• Implement ACP from initial flying

training through fast jet training to

Typhoon and JSF

• Continue implementation of ACP for

rotary aircrew

• Develop research into effectiveness

of ACP.


Questions?

[email protected]

raf physiotherapy led aircrew conditioning programme7... · neck pain & typhoon •performance...

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