Effects of intermittent hypoxia training on the electroencephalogram complexity and saturation of blood oxygen of high performance fighter pilots

Abstract

Objective To explore the quantitative index for evaluating the intermittent hypoxia training effects by analyzing the characteristic changes of electroencephalogram (EEG) complexity and saturation of blood oxygen (SaO2) of high performance fighter pilots. Methods Thirty-two pilots were selected as subjects and undertook a 25 min-training (simulated hypoxia at 3500 m-oxygen concentration 13.1%) with Type DY-84 hypoxia training device once a day for 15 d. Before and after training the subjects were put in simulated 7500 m hypoxia condition (oxygen concentration 7.1%,ventilation volume 15L/min) and their EEG, SaO2, number of red blood cell and hemoglobin level were recorded and analyzed by t-test. Results Training effects showed that the subjects' 7500m EE(G complexity was significantly decreased (P＜0.01), but SaO2 was significantly increased (P＜0.01).Number of red blood cell and hemoglobin level had no obvious change (P＞0.05).Conclusions The simulated 3500 m intermittent hypoxia training could improve pilot's hypoxia tolerance. EEG complexity and SaO2, which are measured under simulated 7500 m hypoxia condition,would be the quantitative indices for evaluating the effects of intermittent hypoxia training for pilot.The results application would be hopefully expanded to the population who work at high altitude or in anoxic environment. Key words: Altitude ; Acclimatization ; Anoxia ; Electroencephalography ; Oximetry ;