Increase in Neck and Back Pain in Fighter Pilots After the Introduction of the F-35 Platform
This study represents the first investigation into neck and back pain among F-35 pilots and shows a higher rate of both back and neck pain compared to F-16 pilots. Equipment and seat angle appear to be the main contributing factors. Targeted interventions are needed to prevent structural injuries, improve performance, and increase deployability. den Bult-van Wieren GB, van Rijswijk A, Kuypers MI, Steinman Y, Wingelaar TT, Nelissen RGHH. Increase in neck and back pain in fighter pilots after the introduction of the F-35 platform. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2025; 96(5):431-435.
Authors
- Thijs T. Wingelaar (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7740-7392)
- Rob G. H. H. Nelissen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1228-4162)
- Yuval Steinman (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6550-5928)
- Maybritt I. Kuypers (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3783-6026)
- Gracia B. den Bult-van Wieren
- Aline van Rijswijk
Institutions
- Netherlands Enterprise Agency (NL)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance
- Published
- 2025-04-29
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3357/amhp.6623.2025
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Occupational Health and Performance
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 5.77