Work of Breathing for Aviators: A Missing Link in Human Performance
In this study, we explore the work of breathing (WoB) experienced by aviators during the Anti-G Straining Maneuver (AGSM) to improve pilot safety and performance. Traditional airflow models of WoB fail to adequately distinguish between breathing rate and inspiratory frequency, leading to potentially...
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MDPI AG
2024-10-01
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| Series: | Life |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/14/11/1388 |
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| author | Victoria Ribeiro Rodrigues Rheagan A. Pratt Chad L. Stephens David J. Alexander Nicholas J. Napoli |
| author_facet | Victoria Ribeiro Rodrigues Rheagan A. Pratt Chad L. Stephens David J. Alexander Nicholas J. Napoli |
| author_sort | Victoria Ribeiro Rodrigues |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In this study, we explore the work of breathing (WoB) experienced by aviators during the Anti-G Straining Maneuver (AGSM) to improve pilot safety and performance. Traditional airflow models of WoB fail to adequately distinguish between breathing rate and inspiratory frequency, leading to potentially inaccurate assessments. This mismatch can have serious implications, particularly in critical flight situations where understanding the true respiratory workload is essential for maintaining performance. To address these limitations, we used a non-sinusoidal model that captures the complexities of WoB under high inspiratory frequencies and varying dead space conditions. Our findings indicate that the classical airflow model tends to underestimate WoB, particularly at elevated inspiratory frequencies ranging from 0.5 to 2 Hz, where resistive forces play a significant role and elastic forces become negligible. Additionally, we show that an increase in dead space, coupled with high-frequency breathing, elevates WoB, heightening the risk of dyspnea among pilots. Interestingly, our analysis reveals that higher breathing rates lead to a decrease in total WoB, an unexpected finding suggesting that refining breathing patterns could help pilots optimize their energy expenditure. This research highlights the importance of examining the relationship between alveolar ventilation, breathing rate, and inspiratory frequency in greater depth within realistic flight scenarios. These insights indicate the need for targeted training programs and adaptive life-support systems to better equip pilots for managing respiratory challenges in high-stress situations. Ultimately, our research lays the groundwork for enhancing respiratory support for aviators, contributing to safer and more efficient flight operations. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-fc089c20b4b44b2a8338fd6ab7579c8d |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2075-1729 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Life |
| spelling | doaj-art-fc089c20b4b44b2a8338fd6ab7579c8d2025-08-20T01:54:07ZengMDPI AGLife2075-17292024-10-011411138810.3390/life14111388Work of Breathing for Aviators: A Missing Link in Human PerformanceVictoria Ribeiro Rodrigues0Rheagan A. Pratt1Chad L. Stephens2David J. Alexander3Nicholas J. Napoli4Human Informatics and Predictive Performance Optimization (HIPPO) Lab, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USAHuman Informatics and Predictive Performance Optimization (HIPPO) Lab, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USALangley Research Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Hampton, VA 23666, USAJohnson Space Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Houston, TX 77058, USAHuman Informatics and Predictive Performance Optimization (HIPPO) Lab, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USAIn this study, we explore the work of breathing (WoB) experienced by aviators during the Anti-G Straining Maneuver (AGSM) to improve pilot safety and performance. Traditional airflow models of WoB fail to adequately distinguish between breathing rate and inspiratory frequency, leading to potentially inaccurate assessments. This mismatch can have serious implications, particularly in critical flight situations where understanding the true respiratory workload is essential for maintaining performance. To address these limitations, we used a non-sinusoidal model that captures the complexities of WoB under high inspiratory frequencies and varying dead space conditions. Our findings indicate that the classical airflow model tends to underestimate WoB, particularly at elevated inspiratory frequencies ranging from 0.5 to 2 Hz, where resistive forces play a significant role and elastic forces become negligible. Additionally, we show that an increase in dead space, coupled with high-frequency breathing, elevates WoB, heightening the risk of dyspnea among pilots. Interestingly, our analysis reveals that higher breathing rates lead to a decrease in total WoB, an unexpected finding suggesting that refining breathing patterns could help pilots optimize their energy expenditure. This research highlights the importance of examining the relationship between alveolar ventilation, breathing rate, and inspiratory frequency in greater depth within realistic flight scenarios. These insights indicate the need for targeted training programs and adaptive life-support systems to better equip pilots for managing respiratory challenges in high-stress situations. Ultimately, our research lays the groundwork for enhancing respiratory support for aviators, contributing to safer and more efficient flight operations.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/14/11/1388work of breathing (WoB)high inspiratory frequenciesanti-G straining maneuveraviationnon-sinusoidal breathing |
| spellingShingle | Victoria Ribeiro Rodrigues Rheagan A. Pratt Chad L. Stephens David J. Alexander Nicholas J. Napoli Work of Breathing for Aviators: A Missing Link in Human Performance Life work of breathing (WoB) high inspiratory frequencies anti-G straining maneuver aviation non-sinusoidal breathing |
| title | Work of Breathing for Aviators: A Missing Link in Human Performance |
| title_full | Work of Breathing for Aviators: A Missing Link in Human Performance |
| title_fullStr | Work of Breathing for Aviators: A Missing Link in Human Performance |
| title_full_unstemmed | Work of Breathing for Aviators: A Missing Link in Human Performance |
| title_short | Work of Breathing for Aviators: A Missing Link in Human Performance |
| title_sort | work of breathing for aviators a missing link in human performance |
| topic | work of breathing (WoB) high inspiratory frequencies anti-G straining maneuver aviation non-sinusoidal breathing |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/14/11/1388 |
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