Investigation into the Effects of Backrest Angle and Stick Location on Female Strength

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of backrest angle and hand maneuver direction on maximum hand strength and to recommend a strength value for the hand-controlled stick of an aircraft. Methods: Forty-eight female subjects were recruited to perform simulated forward–backward and adduction–abduction maneuvers using control sticks. Each subject was free from musculoskeletal disorders and pain. The independent variables included four control maneuvers (forward, backward, adduction, abduction), two right-hand control stick locations (central, side), and three backrest angles (90°, 103°, 108°). The dependent variable was maximum hand strength. Results: The maximum strength for forward maneuvers with both central and side sticks was strongest at a 90° backrest angle (p < 0.001). The maximum strength for adduction maneuvers with both central and side sticks was also strongest at a 90° backrest angle (p < 0.001). On the other hand, the highest strength was observed at a 108° backrest angle when pulling the stick backward (p < 0.001). The abduction strength was significantly stronger than the adduction strength with a central stick (p < 0.001), but the adduction strength was significantly stronger than the abduction strength with a side stick (p < 0.001–p = 0.017). The forward and abduction strength were significantly different in different locations (p < 0.001). The recommended strength in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) by the US FAA is higher than the strength values observed in this study. Conclusions: The backrest angle, directions, and location affected the muscular strength. The recommended values should be reevaluated and adjusted for Taiwanese pilots.