Postural Balance in Italian Air Force Pilots: Development of Specific Normative Values.

Abstract

Objectives: Assessing balance in highly trained individuals, such as military pilots, poses challenges, as deficits may be underestimated when compared to general population norms. To address this, several studies have proposed tailored databases providing reference values for specific populations. This study retrospectively analyzed balance characteristics in active-duty military pilots of the Italian Air Force. Methods: We enrolled 106 subjects split into two groups: 53 military pilots from the Italian Air Force and 53 civilians without flight experience or exposure to specific vestibular stimuli. All participants underwent ENT examinations with audiometric testing to exclude related pathologies, followed by a personal history collection. Subsequently, they completed the EquiTest protocol across six standard conditions. Results: Significant differences were observed between Army Aviators and Non-Aviators. The PREF variable showed the most consistent distinction, with military pilots demonstrating a superior performance (p < 0.01). Additionally, borderline differences were noted in Condition 6 of the equilibrium scores (p = 0.056), and in the Centre of Gravity (COG) analysis along the X-axis for Conditions 1 and 5 (p = 0.090), and for Condition 2 (p = 0.050). These findings suggest enhanced postural control strategies among Army Aviators under conditions of sensory conflict. Conclusions: These findings suggest that normative balance values specific to military pilots should be used when evaluating aviators recovering from balance deficits. Such tailored benchmarks can help determine the need for rehabilitation before returning to duty, ensuring optimal performance under demanding conditions. Further research is necessary to explore the underlying mechanisms responsible for these adaptations and to identify the specific stimuli that contribute to the enhanced balance capabilities observed in this highly trained population.