八週旋轉儀訓練對於飛行生耐旋轉時間與體適能之影響

Purpose: To investigate the effect of 8-week of Orbotron training on rotation endurance and physical fitness in air force pilot cadets. Methods: Twenty-eight healthy male cadets were divided into Orbotron training group (OT, n=14; 2.5±0.4 times/week, intensity at maximal vertigo tolerance, and the revolutions per minute is at least 23 rpm) and control group (CON, n=14; 3 times/week, 90 repetitions of sit-ups, and 3 sets of push-up with maximal efforts) according to their vertigo tolerance. Heath related fitness tests (i.e., body fat, sit-and-reach, grip strength, sit-up, and 3-min step) and pilot related fitness tests (i.e., bench press, half squat, back extension, lateral pull-down, leg curl, arm curl, and 3,000 meters run) were used to clarify the effects of Orbotron training before and after 8-week of intervention. The mixed design two-way ANOVA was use to assess effects of Orbotron training on fitness indices, and the unpaired samples t-test was use to compare the changes in fitness between groups. Results: The average rotation time in OT was significantly increased after training (from 700.6±194.3 to 285.1±177.8 seconds, p＜.05). The numbers of bench press were significantly increased in OT (from 19.3±8.0 to 22.7±6.4 times, p＜.05). Conclusions: Orbotron training for 8 weeks could improve the vertigo symptom and muscular endurance of upper body in air force cadets. However, the effects of Orbotron training on the other fitness indices might not significantly different from those of regular physical fitness training.