Functional activities essential for space exploration performed in partial gravity during parabolic flight

Autor: Gilles Clément, Timothy R. Macaulay, Austin Bollinger, Hannah Weiss, Scott J. Wood
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2024
Předmět:
Zdroj: npj Microgravity, Vol 10, Iss 1, Pp 1-8 (2024)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2373-8065
DOI: 10.1038/s41526-024-00422-3
Popis: Abstract Test subjects were assessed in a partial gravity environment during parabolic flight while they performed mission-critical activities that challenged their balance and locomotion. These functional activities included rising from a seated position and walking, jumping down, recovering from falls, and maintaining an upright stance. Twelve volunteers were tested during 10 parabolas that produced 0.25×g, 0.5×g, or 0.75×g, and at 1×g during level flight intervals between parabolas. Additionally, 14 other subjects were tested using identical procedures in a 1×g laboratory setting. Partial gravity altered the performance of settling after standing and navigating around obstacles. As gravity levels decreased, the time required to stand up, settle, walk, and negotiate obstacles, and the number of falls increased. Information obtained from these tests will allow space agencies to assess the vestibular, sensorimotor, and cardiovascular risks associated with different levels of partial gravity.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals