Background With the in-depth training of air force pilots and the upgrading of flight equipment, low back pain has become a key factor affecting the flight safety and flight efficiency of fighter pilots.
Objective To investigate the latest epidemiological characteristics and current status of rehabilitation treatment of low back pain in Air Force fighter pilots, and analyze its influencing factors.
Methods From July 2020 to March 2021, a stratified cluster random sampling method was used to select 323 male fighter pilots for a questionnaire survey, and 304 valid questionnaires were returned, which consisted of demographic data, flight training, low back pain status and lifestyle. Univariate analysis and multivariate regression analysis were performed on low back pain and associated factors.
Results The age distribution of the respondents was 33.12±5.52 (range, 23-47) years. The annual incidence rate of low back pain in fighter pilots was 62.5% (190/304), and the 3-month incidence rate was 51.0% (155/304). The pain degree was mainly moderate, accounting for 52.1%. Total flight time ≥2 000 h (P=0.001), high performance fighter pilots (P=0.035), and inappropriate flight seats (P=0.019) were important risk factors for the onset of low back pain in fighter pilots. Post-flight exercise for the back muscles (P=0.005) was an important protective factor for fighter pilots’ back pain. Core strength training and physical therapy were the most commonly used rehabilitation activities for fighter pilots with low back pain.
Conclusion Fighter pilots have high incidence of low back pain, and most of them are severe, which gives great impact on flight and life, and many flight-related risk factors are also found in them. However, the rehabilitation treatment of low back pain in pilots is relatively simple, and there is a lack of systematic, stepped and professional measurements for the prevention and rehabilitation.
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