Pinstripe

In other words, commercial aviators need to focus on two main issues:

• Prevention: maintaining physical health through a regular regime in an irregular work environment.

• Regaining a Class 1 certificate in the wake of incapacity or medical diagnosis.

First, prevention.

Could there be a distinct set of physical challenges for anyone working within an aircraft, with implications for fitness and durability? The answer, I suspect, is Yes.

Let me give you an example, from personal experience, through a chance encounter with an RFDS medical crew member at my local café. He was chatting to the Barista about flying when I butted in.I asked him for a perspective around the physical difficulties of doing his job in the confines of an aircraft.

Straight up, he said: “There’s not much room in the back, so managing the patient is always tricky. Flight crew often have to assist. The physicality is totally different than working in intensive care, or even in an ambulance.”

‘Any repetitive task should be counterbalanced.’

The experts offer a more scientific perspective.

Greg Jones Director of Physical Edge Healthcare, a physiotherapy and rehabilitation service based in Thirroul, New South Wales, with pilots among its regular clients, says flying can affect the body in numerous ways, including:

• Circadian fluctuations of biological rhythms
• Increased fluid retention in lower limbs
• Dryness symptoms (due to low humidity)
• Deep vein thrombosis (blood clots)
• Low back pain from prolonged sitting
• Neck and shoulder pain’
• Weight gain

A 2006 study into “Work-related musculoskeletal symptoms reported by female flight attendants on long-haul flights”, published in the journal Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, found that more than 75 per cent of flight attendants complained of lower back, wrist, neck and ankle pain.

As well, a 2005 report published in The Spine Journal showed that prolonged sitting may alter the passive stiffness of the lumbar spine with potential for lower back pain.

Jones puts it this way: “The human body can adapt and react to stress both positively and negatively. It is important to maintain suitable strength and flexibility to reduce the risk of acute and chronic problems …. while at work. Any repetitive task should be counter balanced with stretches to reduce muscle tension, and appropriate strengthening exercises to reduce an overload of more susceptible areas that can cause pain.

“Your body is a pulley system, muscles never push, they only contract (or pull). The amazing aspect is that muscles can get stronger. Finding an activity that you enjoy is important, as maintaining a pain free body requires some effort and time. An individualised exercise program can be effective in targeting problem areas to reduce pain and stiffness whilst increasing strength and flexibility.”

The restrictions of the cockpit or cabin can clearly exacerbate the physical changes that come to all of us over time: little pains pop up, posture issues arise, joint degeneration occurs.

If we acknowledge that there are inherent physical side effects to any role within an aircraft we can, and should, enact a management plan one that prevents negative, physical stress responses, prolongs flying ability, and ensures the maintenance of that Class 1.

To maintain a good level of fitness, my advice is to seek an exercise regime you like, even enjoy. For me, liking a regimen is crucial. If it becomes drudgery, I will drop out. My experiment with other forms of exercise ended with Pilates which has pushed me in ways I did not expect.

Then there is the issue of the unavoidable: where incapacity, injury or diagnosis threatens or invalidates your Class 1.

First you should note that there are a variety of restrictions that can be applied to aviation medicals, and not all spell the end to a flying career. Be careful to obtain the right advice, correct diagnosis, and a management plan, before making anything official.

Each case is individually assessed, and many pilots have successfully regained their medical qualification, continuing to work with some restrictions.

Ultimately, though, there will be some health-related incapacities that are beyond control. A recent Australian Aviation podcast with Dr Jeremy Robertson talked about life after the loss of his certification, and how he now uses his new medical career to stay active in the world of aviation while offering an aviation medical examination service through is business based in Lane Cove, Sydney: Aeromed.net.au