At the beginning of a new year, many people think about making positive changes in their lives, such as improving their physical fitness or learning a certain skill. Astronauts on the International Space Station work year-round to maintain high performance while adapting to changes in their physical fitness, cognitive abilities, sensory perception, and other functions during spaceflight.
Research on the space station examines how these properties change in space, how those changes affect daily performance, and what measures can be taken to keep astronauts in peak condition. Masu.
The current CSA (Canadian Space Agency) study “Space Health” assesses the impact of spaceflight on poor cardiovascular health. The study will use a biomonitor, a wearable sensor that collects data such as pulse rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, skin temperature, and physical activity level. The results could support the development of autonomous systems to monitor cardiovascular health on future space missions. Similar technology could be used to monitor the heart health of people around the planet.
During spaceflight, astronauts lose muscle mass and firmness, which are indicators of strength. Astronauts exercise daily to counter these effects, but due to a lack of technology suitable for use in space, the effects of exercise can only be monitored before and after flight. Ta. The ESA (European Space Agency) Myotone study showed that a small, non-invasive device accurately measures muscle stiffness and that current measures are effective for most muscle groups. Accurate in-flight assessments could help scientists target specific muscles to optimize the effectiveness of exercise programs on future missions. This measuring device could be useful for patients in places around the world where other monitoring methods are not available.
Research suggests that the effects of spaceflight on cognitive performance are likely due to the effects of stressors such as radiation and sleep disturbances. As missions become longer and exposure to these hazards increases, the impact of the hazards on individuals may change.
Manual Control used a series of tests to examine how spaceflight affects cognitive, sensory, and motor functions immediately after landing. On the day they return from spaceflight, astronauts exhibit significant impairments in fine motor control and the ability to multitask in simulated flight and driving tasks. Researchers believe this is due to subtle physiological changes during spaceflight. Performance recovered once individuals were exposed to the task, suggesting that having crew members perform a mock task immediately before the actual task may be beneficial. This research will help scientists ensure that crews can safely land and conduct initial operations on the Moon and Mars.
Standard Measures collects a range of physical and mental measurements related to the risks of human spaceflight, including a cognitive test battery, from astronauts before, during, and after the mission. Using these data, the researchers found that astronauts who participated in the six-month mission showed mild changes in certain areas such as processing speed, working memory, attention, and willingness to take risks. However, they found that they generally showed stable cognitive abilities. This finding provides baseline data to help identify cognitive changes in future missions and support the development of appropriate countermeasures. This study includes the largest sample of professional astronauts ever published.
Another function that can be affected by spaceflight is sensory perception, such as the ability to interpret movement, direction, and distance. We use our visual perception of the height and width of objects around us to complete tasks, for example, reaching for an object or determining whether we can fit through an opening. . The CSA study, VECTION, found that microgravity has no immediate effect on the ability to perceive the height of objects, allowing astronauts to safely perform tasks that rely on this judgment soon after arriving in space. We have shown that it can be done. The researchers concluded that no action was needed, but suggested that space travelers be made aware of late and potentially long-lasting changes in their ability to perceive the height of objects. .
melissa gaskill
International Space Station Research Communication Team
johnson space center
