Adaptation in Gait to Lunar and Martian Gravity Unloading During Long-Term Isolation in the Ground-Based Space Station Model

Abstract

The aim of the experiment was to evaluate the adaptive responses of biomechanical and electromyographic parameters to vertical unloading (Lunar—0.15 G and Martian—0.35 G) when walking during the 4-month isolation experiment SIRIUS-19 in the ground-based space station model (GBI). The study involved 6 healthy international crew members of the SIRIUS-19 project aged 34 ± 6.2 years (3 women and 3 men). Body Weight Unloading (BWU) conditions was created by the h/p/cosmos airwalk system. The locomotor test included walking (3.5 ± 0.3 km/h) with a sequential change of BWU modes: 5-min walking with 0% BWU (1 G), 5-min walking with 65% BWU (0.35 G) and 5-min walking with 85% BWU (0.15 G). Ground Reaction Force was recorded by the h/p/cosmos treadmill device. Muscle Lab Model 4000e device was used to record the electromyographic signals of the hip and shin muscles. The locomotor test was performed twice before GBI, monthly during GBI and 1 week after leaving isolation. The results obtained before GBI demonstrate that the changes of support and proprioceptive afferentation signals play significant role in reorganizing of the biomechanical structure of motor acts and the development of new movement patterns. The results of the study are consistent with the previously obtained results of other studies in this direction. Despite the fact that during the GBI the participants of the experiment performed regular physical training, a decrease in the performance indicators values was detected, especially pronounced after 100 days of GBI. This is probably due to limited space of a space station model, as well as the development of a special motor stereotype in it. Noteworthy are the results obtained after the 4th session of the experiment, indicating the effect of sensorimotor learning. We think that the data obtained in this study will be useful in research both in gravitational physiology and in clinical medicine.

Impact of different ground-based microgravity models on human sensorimotor system

“…The short-radius centrifuge can be used as a countermeasure in combination with the microgravity models—HDBR and DI ( Clément et al, 2016 ). Recent data also show that isolation experiments may be responsible for the formation of a specific stereotype of movements due to the long stays of crew members in a limited space of the space station model ( Saveko et al, 2022 ).…”

Effects of simulated hypo-gravity on lower limb kinematic and electromyographic variables during anti-gravitational treadmill walking

“…This in turn leads to rapid atony of extensor muscles with a potentially linked reductions in proprioceptor activity (Shenkman and Kozlovskaya 2018; Shenkman et al, 2017 ). Over longer periods of unloading than this study examined, this can lead to decreases in strength-speed properties, as well as changes in motor control ( Saveko et al, 2022 ; Shpakov et al, 2008 ). Though interestingly, some of these alterations from unloading can be mitigated with plantar pressure stimulation ( Litvinova et al, 2004 ).…”

Impact of bimonthly repeated total sleep deprivation and recovery sleep on cardiovascular indices

“…Participants were screened thoroughly by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Inclusion/exclusion criteria required that the participants originate from various cultures and nationalities, have no prior experience with spaceflight, and include both males and females; all participants were in excellent health—they passed a drug screen, physical exam, and psychological assessment, and had no history of neurological, CV, integumentary, musculoskeletal, or gastrointestinal problems (Abeln et al., 2022 ; Saveko et al., 2022 ; Yamazaki, Antler, Casale, et al., 2021 ; Yamazaki, Rosendahl‐Garcia, et al., 2022 ). The studies were approved by the Institutional Review Board of the NASA (4‐month study and 8‐month study) with primary oversight, and by the Institutional Review Boards of the University of Pennsylvania (4‐month study) and Rush University Medical Center (8‐month study).…”