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Some Observations on the Effect of Centrifugal Force in Man

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Some Observations on the Effect of Centrifugal Force in Man J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry: first published as 10.1136/jnnp.8.1-2.24 on 1 January 1945. Downloaded from SOME OBSERVATIONS ON THE EFFECT OF CENTRIFUGAL FORCE IN MAN BY Squadron-Leader W. K. STEWART, A.F.C., R.A.F. (V.R.) From the R.A.F. Institute of Aviation Medicine (RECEIVED JUNE, 1945) ANY flight manoeuvre, whether simple or complex, retaining vision. The importance of this to any imposes varying degrees or types of acceleration pilot, during combat, need not be stressed. The upon the aircraft and the crew. Centripetal acceler- fall in blood pressure in the carotid arteries is due to ation is developed when an aircraft is moving in a the line of action of the force passing vertically curved path, and its value is directly proportional to through the spine of a pilot in the sitting position. the square of the angular velocity. For a constant Not only has the heart to pump blood against this indicated air-speed, the centripetal acceleration is force, but the cardiac output also falls due to reduc- inversely proportional to the radius of curvature of tion in venous return and pooling of the blood in the the flight path. It follows from Newton's First Law abdomen and lower limbs. of Motion that a force must be acting upon the air- An opportunity has been afforded to one subject craft and directed normally towards the centre of (W.K.S.) to make frequent observations of the sub- curvature, but on account of inertia, the aircraft jective effects, and an analysis of some of the copyright. resists this force; the line of action of this resistance objective effects, of centrifugal force in flight. This is opposite to the centripetal force, is therefore was achieved by the use of cine photography in a directed away from the centre and is termed centri- two-seater aircraft. Approximately 50 subjects fugal force. If the pilot be regarded as an inanimate have been observed by this method, but the follow- part of the aircraft, it is convenient to think in terms ing account deals principally with the correlation of of this centrifugal force, which presses him into the objective and subjective effects of the subject his seat and is responsible for the physiological (W.K.S.). effects. The effects of these forces may be classified in It is also convenient to express the value of centri- three main phases: first, the general sensations of fugal force (G) as multiples of gravity by the follow- the apparent increase in weight of the body; ing formula: secondly, the loss of vision or "blacking-out "; http://jnnp.bmj.com/ V2 thirdly, the loss of consciousness which is infrequent G= 15r .g (gravity units) and is usually preceded by a period of " black-out". where V=indicated speed in m.p.h. General Sensations r=radius of turn in feet. Somatic sensations are principally dependant upon In practice, this formula is of little value since the the effective increase in weight. At G loadings of force acting upon the pilot is the resultant of the over 5, movements of limbs in the plane of the centrifugal force and gravity, and is measured centrifugal force either become impossible or ex- on October 5, 2021 by guest. Protected directly by an accelerometer. tremely difficult according to the physical build of The sensations attendant upon exposure to centri- the individual. Movements in a plane at right fugal forces of any magnitude have been described angles to the force were still possible at these load- graphically and in some detail by Rook and Dawson ings but were comparatively slow and awkward in (1938), Livingston (1939), Diringshofen (1938 and unsupported limbs. There may also be a significant 1939). The latter author and his collaborators have increase in the latent period which may be partly investigated many aspects of the problem and as a central and partly peripheral in origin (Burmeister, result of their basic researches, it can be stated that 1939). Care must be taken in the interpretation the more severe effects are due to a fall in blood of such experimental results since the line of axis of pressure in the carotid arteries. This causes the loss some of the muscles concerned in the movement may ofvision known as " Blacking Out " amongst fighter be in the plane of centrifugal force. Further pilots and also the loss of consciousness, which, common symptoms of the increase in weight were a however, is infrequent in occurrence. It follows downward drag of the facial tissues and the " con- that any practical method, by which the fall in blood certina sensation " of the trunk. Objectively, the pressure can be prevented, also aids the pilot in effects of these were easily seen in the deepening of 24 J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry: first published as 10.1136/jnnp.8.1-2.24 on 1 January 1945. Downloaded from CENTRIFUGAL FORCE IN MAN 25 the naso-labial folds, nasal ridges becoming more eversion (Figs. 1 and 2). If the erect posture were pronounced and in the development of subocular maintained, not only did the soft tissues become pouches, the lower lids sometimes showing a marked moulded but there also occurred an apparent de- copyright. FIG. 1.-Subject seated in rear cockpit of Battle. Kollsman Accelerometer recording approximately 5 G. http://jnnp.bmj.com/ on October 5, 2021 by guest. Protected FIG. 2.-Subject in Gladiator. Kollsman Accelerometer recording approximately 5 G. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry: first published as 10.1136/jnnp.8.1-2.24 on 1 January 1945. Downloaded from 26 W. K. STEWART crease in the height of the trunk of 1-2 inches, and if or scotomatous impairment. Finally the return of these effects were marked, the subject appeared to vision was rapid. Intermediate stages could not be have acquired new features. Under heavy G, differentiated, nor were residual visual symptoms whether vision is affected or not, most subjects ever experienced. appear to have delayed cerebration, to be slightly dazed as if their spatial and temporal orientation are Oculomotor Reactions impaired. It has been pointed out before that general somatic sensation is not subjectively greatly impaired Visual Impairment-Blacking-out when " blacking-out" takes place and that co- The above'reactions are of secondary importance ordinated movements are still possible. In general, to the disturbance of vision or of consciousness. It the integrity of the external oculomotor muscles was was found necessary, early in the course of the found to be maintained during the period of " black- research, to standardize the recognition of the end- out" and full and co-ordinated ocular movements point of the visual loss. Consequently a test-type were possible in every direction. There did not card with letters of standard dimensions was hung appear to be any significant prolongation of the in the cockpit before the observer, and above the time taken to complete these movements when camera level. Thus for all comparative work, the " blacked-out ", as compared to the time taken abolition of contrast between letters and background normally. Fixity of gaze appeared to be a constant was taken as the commencement of the " black-out " feature during the " black-out" period. This can period. At no time did distant vision remain after be ascribed to the subject concentrating on timing as this had occurred, the amaurosis being complete. accurately as possible the duration of the visual loss. There was, however, considerable difficulty in Three experiments were carried out during which analysing the sequence of events. When the test- the subject was " blacked-out " with his head turned type card was taken as the visual stimulus, the usual strongly to the right but with gaze fixated on the degrees of impairment could be differentiated easily. test-type card. There was no deviation of gaze from Slight " veiling" could be distinguished as a mere the point of fixation even in an amaurosis lasting for greying of the white background, the black letters 11-12 seconds. still being distinct. Severe "veiling" could be During the course of the experiments, a left-sided as a stage, when the card would esophoria had been observed under high loadings. differentiated further copyright. become almost black and yet the central letters still (5 G or over). Thk, aegree of imbalance, though be distinguished as a form of tunnel vision. The slight, was defite, occurred usually in the left eye end-point was reached when the letters had dis- and appeared to be peculiar to the individual appeared, the general sensation being that of black- (Fig. 3). It was most often associated with the ness. These stages usually succeeded one another, development of the amaurosis, but also occurred although, not infrequently, the first two stages before visual impairment was experienced, and also seemed to be omitted, the onset of the " black-out " at high G when the subject was protected from the being extremely sudden. These experimental obser- circulatory effects. Once developed, the esophoria vations can be compared to the sequence of events remained throughout the period of high G, and on in fighter aircraft. In the turret of a two-seater one occasion progressed to a stage almost of skew- fighter, it was observed that according to the final deviation. On another occasion the eyes were value and rate of onset of G, distant vision became voluntarily moved whilst the esophoria was present. http://jnnp.bmj.com/ blurred and was lost before near vision. Objects The visual axes were then seen to be readjusted-the subtending a small angle at the retina, such as details imbalance disappearing during the movement and of the ground and distant aircraft, definitely dis- developing again in the period of rest.
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