Authors: Levin, Britta; Andersson, Jan; Karlsson, Thomas

Source: Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, Volume 78, Number 6, June 2007 , pp. 587-592(6)

Publisher: Aerospace Medical Association

Abstract:

Levin B, Andersson J, Karlsson T. Memory performance during G exposure as assessed by a word recognition task. Aviat Space Environ Med 2007; 78:587-592.

Background: Pilots of modern fighter aircraft are exposed to substantial physiological and mental stressors. The objective of this study was to investigate how memory performance, in terms of encoding and/or retrieval processes, was affected by sustained +Gz exposure. Method: There were 18 healthy men ranging from experienced fighter pilots to novice riders who participated. A word continuous recognition task (CRT) was employed as a memory test. The task consisted of three consecutive phases: 1) encoding of familiar words at 1 G; 2) encoding and retrieval of words at 70% of the subject's relaxed G-tolerance level, equivalent to +3.7 ± 0.54 Gz; and 3) encoding and retrieval of words at 1 G. In addition, each subject performed the CRT in a 1-G-only control condition. Physiological and psycho-physiological measures included continuous monitoring of ECG, arterial oxygen saturation, arterial BP at head level, and response time. Results: Data analysis showed that the capability to recognize words encoded at 1 G did not differ between conditions, indicating that the retrieval process was insensitive to increased Gz load. However, the ability to recognize words previously encoded during G exposure was reduced by approximately 10% as compared with control. Since the analysis revealed that the words were perceived, this result suggests that the encoding process was impaired in hypergravity. Conclusion: The results indicate that memory encoding, but not retrieval, was affected negatively when exposed to substantial and sustained +Gz loads.

References: 14 references open in new window

Articles that cite this article?

Keywords: retrieval; encoding; acceleration; hypergravity; G load

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2007-06-01

More about this publication?

• The peer-reviewed monthly journal, Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine (ASEM) provides contact with physicians, life scientists, bioengineers, and medical specialists working in both basic medical research and in its clinical applications. It is the most used and cited journal in its field. ASEM is distributed to more than 80 nations.
• Information for Authors
• Subscribe to this Title
• Membership Information
• Information for Advertisers
• Submit Articles
• 2011 Annual Meeting and Event Information
• ingentaconnect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Transportation ,  Medicine (General) ,  Public Health
• By this author: Levin, Britta ;  Andersson, Jan ;  Karlsson, Thomas

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers