The effects of pressurized partial pressure suits on operational ergonomics

A study on capstan partial pressure suits (PPSs) was conducted to determine their effects on pilots' operational performance on a series of ergonomic measures at different pressure levels using objective and subjective approaches. Tests of range of motion, operational performance and operational strength were carried out on ten male subjects wearing PPSs under 6 different pressure conditions. Subjective tests related to pressure tolerance and operational performance were also conducted. A video-based motion capture and analysis system was used to record the trajectories of body motions. Analysis of variance was used to test the effects of the different pressures. It was concluded that a pressurized PPS had a significant impact on the pilot's range of motion (ROM) and operational performance, but no significant effect on their operational strength. Range of motion and operational performance decreased as pressure increased, but they were affected differently. The results may provide mission planners, suit designers and human factors engineers with better insight into the understanding of pilots' operational function, mobility and strength capabilities when wearing pressurized PPS. Relevance to industry: This paper presents pilots' range of motion, operational performance and operational strength with pressurized PPS dressed and can help mission planners, suit designers and human factors engineers to improve PPS' performance.