This study examines the impact of lighting conditions (darkness, rotational light and continuous light) on warfighters’ psychophysiological responses and fine motor skills in close-quarter combat (CQC) simulations. The study assessed the rate of perceived exertion, blood lactate concentration, cortical arousal, isometric lumbar and leg strength, and the time required to reload a pistol magazine in 50 male military personnel experienced in international missions. Findings revealed distinct psychophysiological responses correlated with lighting conditions, with significant responses under rotational and no-light scenarios. Notable correlations included the critical flicker fusion threshold with magazine reload time (r = -0.547, p < 0.000) and isometric strength post-CQC with the rate of perceived exertion (r = 0.319, p < 0.009). The study suggests that manipulating lighting conditions ca...

Background: Aviation professionals experience chronic stress due to prolonged work hours, irregular schedules, and exposure to altitude-related physiological challenges, leading to dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Controlled hypoxia has been proposed as a potential strategy for modulating stress responses and enhancing recovery. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a weekend of controlled normobaric hypoxia on key hormonal markers, including cortisol, prolactin, testosterone, and DHEA-S, in pilots and flight attendants. Methods: A within-subject experimental design was used with 10 participants (6 pilots, 4 flight attendants) exposed to two 12-hour sessions of normobaric hypoxia (simulated altitude: 3,500–4,000 m) during their designated rest period. Blood samples were collected at three-time points: baseline, pre-hypoxia, and post-hy...

This review examines human digestive physiology and metabolic adaptations in the context of evolutionary dietary patterns, particularly those emphasizing carnivorous and scavenging behaviors. By integrating metabolomic data with archaeological, anatomical, and microbiological evidence, the study explores how early hominins adapted to intermittent but energy-dense animal-based diets. The analysis highlights the development of hepatic insulin resistance, enhanced fat and protein metabolism, and shifts in gut microbiota diversity as physiological signatures of meat consumption. Comparative evaluations of digestive enzyme profiles, intestinal morphology, and salivary composition underscore humans’ omnivorous flexibility and partial carnivorous specialization. Additionally, biomarkers such as ketone bodies, branched-chain amino acids, and trimethylamine-N-oxide are identified as metabolic i...