Human Acceleration Research at Armstrong Laboratory 1973-1993: A Dynamic Process.
Abstract
The history of disqualified subjects from 1973-1993 at Armstrong Laboratory is presented for both sustained and impact acceleration panels. The screening criteria for candidates, the physician doing the interpretation of the screening examinations, and the type of research being performed all contribute to the disqualification of candidates and subjects. The importance of knowing the impact of these factors on the composition of the panels is stressed as this determines to which target population the research data can be applied. The rational for each disqualification is discussed, demonstrating the variability in each panel physician's clinical judgement in the context of personal bias, the ethical frame-work surrounding the use of human volunteers, and the existing research environment. Comparisons of the two human volunteer subject panels to each other and other samples of different populations (composite from scientific literature; French, Norwegian, and Netherlands pilots; US Navy subjects) were made using the proportion parameters of various spinal anomalies. Several sources of bias and error were present: (1) variability between raters (radiologists); (2) lack of a standard format for reporting spinal anomalies; and (3) lack of a readily accessible, useable, and representative U.S. Air Force pilot spinal anomaly database.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA355611
Entities
People
- Charles E. Morris
- Frank T. Fisher
- Jeffrey Briggs
- Stephen E. Popper
Organizations
- Armstrong Laboratory