Extreme occupational factors of high-speed train drivers as a basis for applied physical training

Abstract

Introduction. Russia is building high-speed railway lines, and train speeds will reach 400 km/h[1]. A high-speed train driver spends many hours in a small cab, monitors a large number of movement parameters, and is exposed to vibration, noise, and electromagnetic fields. Physical activity is minimal, while psycho-emo-tional strain stays high. About 70% of occupational ac-cidents are linked to the human factor, mainly to fatigue and stress of the worker[2]. Applied physical training of railway specialists was studied by V.A. Sadovsky, T.A. Ze-nkova, and D.O. Belov[3]. Objective of the study to substantiate that the work of a high-speed train driver belongs to activity in extreme conditions and to define the focus of applied physical training on this basis. Methods and organization of the study. The Transport Strategy of the Russian Federation, profes-sional standard 17.010 for locomotive operation staff, and the federal educational standard for the special-ity 23.05.03 Railway Rolling Stock were analysed. The study was conducted at Emperor Alexander I St. Pe-tersburg State Transport University. Results and discussion. Conditions are consid-ered extreme when unfavourable factors cause the maximum strain of the adaptation mechanisms of the body[4]. Driving a train at a speed above 250 km/h fits this definition. Five factors were identified. The speed factor reduces the time required to make a decision to just a few seconds. The sensory and information factor sharply increases the amount of incoming information. Monotony keeps the driver in uniform operations for up to 6 hours in a row while full alertness is required. Hypokinesia is caused by the forced posture in the confined cab. The responsibility factor makes the cost of an error comparable with aviation. By their nature these factors form three groups, namely physical, in-formation and cognitive, and psycho-emotional. Acting together, they produce operator stress of the high-speed profile, which depletes physical, function-al, and psycho-emotional resources at the same time. Readiness for such work includes three components. The conditioning and coordination component covers static endurance of the back and neck muscles, fine mo-tor coordination, and speed of visual motor reaction. The functional and adaptation component reflects vestibular stability, the work of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems under hypokinesia, and autonomic regulation. The psycho-emotional component combines resistance to monotony, attention properties, stress tolerance, and emotional and volitional self-regulation. This leads to the principle of anticipatory modelling of occupational stress factors. Students first perform exercises under standard conditions, then the condi-tions become more complex through sensory interfer-ence, time pressure, and preliminary fatigue. In par-allel they learn methods of mental self-regulation and recovery of working capacity. Conclusions. The work of a high-speed train driver belongs to activity in extreme conditions, which are cre-ated by the combination of the speed factor, the sensory and information factor, monotony, hypokinesia, and high responsibility. Applied physical training of future drivers should develop the three components of readiness at the same time and should be based on anticipatory model-ling of occupational stress factors in training sessions.