Heart Rate Variability as a Predictor of +Gz Tolerance During the High-G Selective Test

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Preselection of pilot candidates in the military is critical and determines the quality of subsequent selection. The Aero Medical Institute in Belgrade uses the following centrifuge endpoints: peripheral vision loss, heart rate above 180 bpm, cardiac arrhythmias, and G-induced loss of consciousness to assess relaxed +Gz tolerance. The aim of this study was to evaluate heart rate variability (HRV) associated with cardiovascular adaptability to different types of stress as a predictor of +Gz tolerance.METHODS: Thirty-six candidates were exposed to centrifuge runs, consisting of the following +Gz-acceleration phases: a 2-G plateau followed by an increase to 5.5 G, a decrease to 2 G, and ending with a plateau. Time-domain HRV indices were calculated for candidates, for a 60-s 2-G plateau, and for the entire test. The correlation was made between the groups that did (Group 1) and did not meet the criteria (Group 2).RESULTS: The results show significantly lower values in all time domain HRV indices, namely standard deviation of the normal-to-normal interval (SDNN) and root mean square of successive differences, in Group 2. Mean SDNN values were 45.98 ± 24.80 ms (2-G plateau) and 109.99 ± 39.64 ms (entire test) in Group 1, while the SDNN were 22.99 ± 12.04 ms and 69.70 ± 33.45 ms in Group 2. Root mean square of successive differences was higher in Group 1 for the 2-G plateau and for the entire test.DISCUSSION: The results suggest that HRV is positively correlated with +Gz-tolerance and can be used as an additional selection tool for military aircrew.Bacevic N, Ninkovic M, Drvendzija M, Vidakovic J, Bacevic M, Stepanic P. Heart rate variability as a predictor of +Gz tolerance during the high-G selective test. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2024; 95(2):93–100.