Heart rate and workload variations in actual and simulated flight

Abstract

The monitoring of heart rate in aviation research provides a global index of pilot workload. Heart rate variability is a promising measure but more complex to assess and therefore less often used, especially in dynamic task environments. The application of spectral analysis techniques of heart rate for workload assessment in aviation is illustrated and discussed. Ideally, workload assessment includes real-time or continuous measures to reveal variations in workload as pilots accomplish their tasks. Four studies are discussed that used heart rate measures for the assessment of: (1) training effectiveness; (2) stress of flight instruction; (3) simulator realism; and (4) flight task difficulty. Results indicate that cardiovascular measures are well suited to index different mental states of pilots as well as their dynamic responses to variations in workload.