A joint NASA and Institute of Biomedical Problems (IBMP) study, designated as the Field Test, was designed to investigate how the immediate post-flight effects of long duration spaceflight impact performance on vestibular and sensorimotor-related functional tasks. One unique feature of this study was the use of functional tests typically associated with everyday living to track recovery. These tasks are also expected of crewmembers during recovery operations and include sit-to-stand and prone-to-stand transitions, translating objects, and jumping down from a platform. This paper provides an overview of the methodology used for the Field Test. As an example of the functional deficits observed, we present results for a seat egress and walking task that involved turning 180 degrees and stepping over obstacles. We observed significant increases in the time-to-complete this task on landing day. We recommend this task being incorporated into Standard Measures to evaluate the efficacy of countermeasures. The decrements observed at landing day have implications for the deconditioned crew during exploration missions where crewmembers will be unassisted after landing on a planetary surface.

No abstract

In summary, the 1-yr mission has clearly demonstrated the high efficacy of the countermeasures used by KM.Fomina EV, Lysova NYu, Kukoba TB, Grishin AP, Kornienko MB. One-year mission on ISS is a step towards interplanetary missions. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2017; 88(12):1094-1099.

No abstract

Biomechanical and electromyographic characteristics of locomotion were studied before and after a space flight on days 3, 7, and 10 after landing in 18 participants of prolonged space missions on board the International Space Station. It has been shown that microgravity causes significant changes in biomechanical and electromyographic characteristics of walking, such as a decrease in the amplitude of angular displace ment in leg joints, a decrease in the double step length, and an increase in the electromyographic costs of locomotion. It has been also shown that interval locomotor physical training, such as alternation of running and walking, in prolonged space flights prevents an increase in the physiological costs of locomototions after a space flight and provides more efficient maintenance of the neuromuscular system's performance after a flight. Cosmonauts who performed interval locomotor training had fewer changes in biomechanical and elec tromyographic characteristics of walking.