Acute Myocardial Infarction in a Young Bodybuilder Fighter Pilot.

BACKGROUND: Although advanced coronary artery disease in young, healthy fighter pilots is uncommon, an acute cardiac event in flight could be catastrophic.CASE REPORT: After a gym workout, a 31-yr-old F-16 pilot reported severe central chest pain, one vomiting episode, and excessive sweating but no radiation of pain. Electrocardiograph showed ST elevation in V2-V6. Coronary arteriography showed a thrombotic lesion at the proximal left anterior descending (LAD) artery (90%) and one occluded LAD branch with thrombus; the rest of the arteries were normal and ejection fraction was 55%. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention to LAD with one drug-eluting stent was done. The pilot was discharged in stable hemodynamic condition with medication advice. Assessment revealed no significant cardiac risk factors. He did not seek medical care for two central chest pain episodes following a gym workout prior to this event because rest relieved the pain. He gave a history of using commercial protein supplements for bodybuilding in the past 6 yr.DISCUSSION: In this case report, the impact of aggressive gym workouts and chronic use of commercially available bodybuilding protein supplements on cardiovascular health is discussed, as well as aeromedical dilemmas related to this pilot's career. This case sparks debate about whether a highly motivated young pilot with an unexpected cardiac event should be subjected to regular intensive cardiac evaluation throughout his remaining flying career, with permanent flying limitations, or be motivated to pursue a career shift to facilitate noncomplicated career rehabilitation.Jeevarathinam S, Sabei SA, Wardi YA. Acute myocardial infarction in a young bodybuilder fighter pilot. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2023; 94(9):719-722.

A Cross-Cultural Anthropometric Analysis in Military Aviation.

BACKGROUND: Aircrew-aircraft compatibility is important in military aviation for flight safety. Anthropometric aircrew selection standards in RAFO were embedded from the selection standards of western defense forces as the aircrafts were imported from there. Henceforth efforts were made to fit local native aviators into aircrafts not initially designed for them. In view of this, this study was carried out to obtain the anthropometric data of Oman aircrew recruits and compare these with published western and eastern data with a hope to understand and highlight the aircrew-aircraft mismatch issues, if any.METHODS: The anthropometric data of 2296 Omani recruits from 2003 to 2012 were collected and their statistical distribution of data was collated. Published data from the UK and Singapore were used to carry out the comparative distribution of five anthropometric dimensions.RESULTS: Minimal differences were noted between Oman and Singaporean recruits whereas differences were most pronounced between Oman and Western populations (UK). Aircrew cadets from Oman, Singapore, and UK differed significantly in standing height. The UK cadets (M = 177.4 cm) showed the highest standing height followed by Oman cadets (M = 171.9cm), and then Singapore cadets (M = 168.5 cm).DISCUSSION: This study has provided opportunities to recognize the discrepancies involved in selection of Middle Eastern aircrew for western cockpits. This adds impetus to the scope for application of military recruitment standards suitable to the native population in aiding the ideal man-machine interface. This approach shall consider national policy, the significant anthropometric trends of the general population, and the procured aircraft profile of the country.Al Wardi Y, Jeevarathinam S, Al Sabei S. A cross-cultural anthropometric analysis in military aviation. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2020; 91(4):358-362.