Investigation of Biochemical Variation in Operational Aircrew.
Abstract
Principal-components analyses of biochemical values obtained on a sample of operational aircrew revealed two factors that appear to reflect stress levels: Factor 1--positive loadings for Red Blood Cell sedimentation rate, serum uric acid, triglycerides, and cholesterol/HDL ratio; and Factor 4--a negative loading for serum calcium and positive loadings for 0900 plasma cortisol, fasting blood sugar, and Sodium/Potassiam ratio. High Factor-1 scores could result from increased sympathetic nervous system activity, and high Factor 4 scores could reflect heightened arousal of the pituitary-adrenocortical axis. Both are logical consequences of stress, whether due to chronic environmental pressures, individual characteristics predisposing to reduced stress tolerance, or some combination. The pattern of relationship between scores on these factors and individual variables such as command status and environmental variables such as aircraft type suggests that scores on Factors 1 and 4 are indeed valid indicators of stress. If further studies strengthen these conclusions, scores on these two factors may be useful measures of pilot attributes that should be routinely screened for, so as to select personnel with highest proficiency but least possible health risks. Keywords: personnel selection; air force personnel; aviation personnel.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA179223
Entities
People
- John C. Barefoot
- Redford B. Williams Jr.
- Thomas L. Haney
Organizations
- Duke University Hospital