WIML scientific presentation

1. Evaluation of flight training progress using frequency-domain HRV parameters Presentation prepared for 57th International Congress of Space and Aviation Medicine by Zagreb · Croatia · 06-10 September 2009 · Olaf Truszczynski · Lukasz Dziuda · Krzysztof Rozanowski · Franciszek Skibniewski · Mariusz Krej

2. Slide - - Introduction Fatigue and decrease in operational efficiency during flights pose a serious problem both in military and civil aviation. This can be observed not only in the case of pilots carrying out long-lasting flights and flight missions but also during short yet intensive missions. It can cause a loss of situational awareness, especially in pilots operating helicopters and transport aircraft on long missions.

3. Slide - - HRV analysis in flight training process Heart rate variability (HRV) is a measure of variations in heart rate (HR). It can be calculated by analyzing a time series of beat-to-beat intervals from the ECG signal. It is a non-invasive index of autonomic controls of the heart. In flight conditions, an HRV analysis can be useful in determining, for example, mental workload in pilots during particular phases of flight.

4. Slide - - Mechanism that underlies HRV This is, to a large extent, the activity of autonomic nervous system (ANS). HF (high frequencies) is an indicator of the parasympathetic division (responsible for slowing down) whereas LF (low frequencies) characterizes the sympathetic one (concerned with excitement and also involving a parasympathetic component). Both divisions are linked with each other. Stress, high environmental requirements, workload cause higher excitement and decrease in slowing down, which can be observed using HRV. This is why we actually should investigate what excites and what calms down and, basing on this knowledge, make hypotheses about changes in separate HRV bands.

5. Slide - - What HRV parameters mean? The higher the excitement, the higher the LF power (power within LF band) and the lower the HF power (power within HF band) whilst the higher breaking, relaxation, the higher the HF power and the lower the LF power (this way the autonomic balance, i.e. LF / HF can be considered). Likewise a higher heart rate (HR) is, to a large extent, a result of ANS activity. Higher excitement / workload / stress mean a higher HR.

8. Slide - - Circuit parameters

9. Slide - - ECG recorder ECG signals were recorded using the A GAT device for recording psychophysiological parameters, developed at the Military Institute of Aviation Medicine and used by the Polish Air Force.

10. Slide - - Flight recorder Performance parameters were recorded using the on-board flight recorder that delivers information about physical signals such as: · acceleration · altitude · speed · grade · bank · course

11. Slide - - Operation of ECG and flight recorders in the experiment

12. Slide - - Software Psychophysiological signals were analyzed using HRV Analysis Software 1.1 developed at the University of Kupio in Finland. Performance parameters were analyzed using Matlab.

14. Slide - - Performance parameters Vodch_sum – mean value of 3 deviations from the required speed during flight Hodch_sum - mean value of 3 deviations from the required altitude during flight CoMean – mean deviation from the required course during flight CTp – time of flight (in seconds) beyond the required course during flight Rollmax – maximal overgrad ing during flight RollTp – time of flight at overgrading

17. Slide - - Methods of HRV analysis spectral_components_VLF: 0-0.04 Hz spectral_components_LF: 0.04-0.15 Hz spectral_components_HF: 0.15-04 Hz Detrending of RR series: Trend: Smoothn priors: Model: Eye; Alpha: 1000; Interpolation Rate of RR Series: 2 Hz Points in Freq Domain: 2048 AR Model Order: 14 spectral_components_VLF: 0-0.04 Hz spectral_components_LF: 0.04-0.15 Hz spectral_components_HF: 0.15-04 Hz Detrending of RR series: Trend: Smoothn priors: Model: Eye; Alpha: 1000; Interpolation Rate of RR Series: 2 Hz Points in Freq Domain: 2048 Window Width: 2048 Window Overlap: 512 AR Model Order: 14 HRV Analysis Software 1.1, method 2 (AR – auto correlation) HRV Analysis Software 1.1, method 1 FFT – (fast fourier transformation)

18. Slide - - Example of results for pilot no.13 in his 3 rd flight

19. Slide - - Mean values of LF / HF in subsequent circles An analysis of the results LH / HF =f(circle no.) shows that unlike in the case of a simple HR parameter, which from one circle (circuit) to another has lower and lower values, it is hard to find certain regularities in the subjects’ behavior in the scope of their mental effort judged with this coefficient.

20. Slide - - Mean values of LF / HF in subsequent circles during one flight An analysis of the results presented on the diagram LF / HF =f( c ircle no. in flight) demonstrates a quite considerable increase of the LF / HF coefficient for successive circuits in a flight. The higher the number of circuits, the longer the time of the flight, the longer the period of subjecting the pilot to external factors (i.e. temperature, radiation, stress, fatigue), thus greater mental effort. The decrease in the value of coefficient for circles 6 and 7 is a result of the quite small trial. Flights with this number of circles were performed sporadically and are not a basis for reasoning.

21. Slide - - Mean values of LF / HF in different mission type The results presented on the diagram LH / HF =f(mission type) confirm the pilots’ subjective opinions obtained with questionnaires, surveys and direct conversations. Despite the fact that the exercise is at each stage the same, the exam mobilizes for concentration and effort the most, even though it does not causes the highest stress (demonstrated by observing HR), which is the case in unassisted flights, i.e. exercise 9.

22. Slide - - Mean values of LF norm The results of analysis of coefficient LFnorm confirm the conclusions presented above. It is worth considering the values of these variables determined in the period of restitution before (RBF) and after (RAF) flight. Expected values would be values lower than obtained during the flight itself. In this case only a slight decrease in LF / HF , and LFnorm in RBF and RAF can be observed. This is due to conditions, in which the restitution period was carried out. Both RBF and RAF on the day of flight were during the process of preparing for the flight and discussing it later. This considerably disturbs the values of factors as they are not values of real restitution.

26. Slide - - Thank you