飛行是一項危險與挑戰性的工作,飛行員承受加速度、噪音、缺氧、極端溫度等潛在的危險,以及不規則工作時間、生理週期紊亂等壓力。過度或過久的壓力,會危害身體。過去從事人體壓力反應研究,常須採取侵犯性檢查方式例如抽血或記錄神經活性。本文介紹兩種唾液中的壓力反應生物指標α-澱粉酶與腎上腺皮質醇,討論目前對這兩種生物指標的了解及影響其變化的因子,提供未來於航空醫學方面的研究參考。
Flying is a challenging career as pilots are facing dangers such as hypoxia, acceleration, cold, disrupted circadian rhythm and decompression in an extremely risky environment. Studies that need to evaluate pilots stress usually use invasive methodologies such as blood withdrawal or single nerve recording. This article introduces two salivary stress biomarkers - α-amylase and cortisol. Current understanding and possible confounding factors about those two biomarkers are discussed to provide basic understanding about these biomarkers. Salivary α-amylase activity and cortisol concentration may become non-invasive and easy to use tool for future aviation medicine and physiology studies.