Abstract
Heart rate variability, with modern technology detects the differences between each electro cardiac signal of the heartbeat, and is being utilized across a broad number of fields in aviation and space medicine, such as simulation training, assessment of performance and improvement in safety and wellbeing and has potential in the prediction of incapacitation in Civil Aviation Medicine, from both physical and mental health problems, and monitoring of astronauts in space flight. HRV has seen increasing utility across aviation and aerospace medicine but also has potential as a marker of -chronological aging, stress, cognitive load, recovery and optimal performance. Data needs to be gathered on the population being studied at baseline, and under physiological stress and recovery in the long term and potentially in the occupational role. Aviation Medical examiners need to be skilled at critical analysis of HRV data in predicting incapacity particularly in the aging pilot where there may be many cofounders. HRV biofeedback may enhance aviation medical wellbeing interventions. Aviation Medical Examiners would benefit from understanding the current use and potential of Heart rate variability data.