Exploratory Heterogeneity in Workload–HRV Relationships Across Flight Crews During High-Fidelity Simulation

Abstract

Verbatim from NASA NTRS. Not paraphrased, not summarized.

Understanding how operators adapt to varying task demands in complex systems is central to applied human performance and resilience engineering research. Using data from the NASA SOTERIA high-fidelity flight simulation dataset, the present study examined scenario-level associations between subjective workload and physiological indices of autonomic regulation as markers of adaptive, resilient performance during routine but demanding flight operations. Following the preprocessing and data-quality procedures described in the dataset documentation, the final analytic sample comprised 8 flight crews, each consisting of two commercial pilots (left-seat captain and right-seat first officer). Crews completed multiple operationally realistic arrival scenarios designed to systematically modulate workload and temporal demands. Analyses were conducted at the crew level, with scenario-level observations treated as repeated measures. Seat position (left vs. right) was modeled as a within-crew task condition reflecting role-specific task demands rather than independent participants. Subjective workload was assessed using NASA-TLX subscales, and physiological responses were indexed using heart rate variability–based measures derived from electrocardiogram recordings, calculated only for segments meeting established data-quality criteria. Across scenarios, higher perceived workload—particularly temporal demand and effort—was associated with systematic variation in autonomic regulation. These patterns were observed across crews and suggest that adaptive physiological regulation covaries with perceived task demands, consistent with process-based accounts of resilient performance in complex operational contexts. Seat position further modulated workload–physiology associations, indicating role-dependent differences in task engagement and regulatory demands within the same scenario. Together, these findings provide preliminary, scenario-level evidence that subjective workload and autonomic regulation jointly reflect adaptive processes underlying resilient human performance in high-fidelity simulated flight operations. The results highlight the value of integrating subjective and physiological measures for characterizing resilience-relevant dynamics in safety-critical systems and have implications for workload assessment, system design, and adaptive support tools.

Authors

• Xinzhu Chai Virginia Tech
• Chad L Stephens Langley Research Center
• Bruce H Friedman Virginia Tech

Keywords

• Heart Rate Variability
• Workload
• Flight Crew
• High-fidelity Flight Simulation
• Resilient Performance