Aiming performance during spaceflight: Individual adaptation to microgravity and the benefits of haptic support

Weber, Bernhard; Schätzle, Simon; Stelzer, Martin

doi:10.1016/j.apergo.2022.103791

Cited by 8 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Results for aiming tasks, e.g., are not completely consistent with respect to the accuracy of the aiming motions under microgravity conditions (Kanas and Manzey, 2008 ). However, a general slowing of motions in microgravity compared to terrestrial conditions was frequently reported for a variety of aiming tasks (Berger et al, 1997 ; Newman and Lathan, 1999 ; Sangals et al, 1999 ; Bock et al, 2001 ; Crevecoeur et al, 2010 ; Weber et al, 2022 ). Also, the accuracy of smooth tracking motions has been reported to decrease in microgravity (Kanas and Manzey, 2008 ; Weber et al, 2021 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…These effects were investigated in a terrestrial experiment with the very same experimental design as the latter spaceflight study. Previous studies, e.g., revealed that there are significant learning effects for aiming and tracking precision (Weber et al, 2021 , 2022 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Altered motion control, e.g., was mainly reported for rapid full-arm aiming tasks (e.g., Berger et al, 1997 ; Mechtcheriakov et al, 2002 ). Evidence for disturbed proprioception has been found for aiming and tracking tasks, e.g., performed with a position-control joystick (i.e., joystick deflection is transferred into positions; e.g., Weber et al, 2021 , 2022 ), while attentional deficits have been mainly reported for cognitively more demanding joystick-based tracking tasks with velocity control (i.e., joystick deflections are transferred into velocities; e.g., Manzey et al, 2000 ; Bock et al, 2003 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, it has also been shown that sensorimotor performance can be maintained in microgravity with specific haptic settings of the human-machine interface (HMI). Specifically, it was reported that aiming precision was improved in microgravity when applying a low centering spring stiffness at a force feedback joystick compared to no haptic support (Weber et al, 2022 ). Also, it was documented that low damping and stiffness are effective to support tracking accuracy in microgravity (Weber et al, 2021 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Sensorimotor impairments during spaceflight: Trigger mechanisms and haptic assistance

Weber

Stelzer

2022

Front. Neuroergonomics

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In a few years, manned space missions are planned in which the sensorimotor performance of humans will be of outstanding importance. However, research has repeatedly shown that human sensorimotor function can be impaired under conditions of microgravity. One way to compensate for these impairments is haptic feedback provided by the human-machine interface. In the current series of studies, sensorimotor performance was measured in basic aiming and tracking tasks. These tasks had to be performed using a force feedback joystick with different haptic settings (three spring stiffnesses, two dampings, two virtual masses, and no haptics). In two terrestrial studies, we investigated (1) the effects of cognitive load on performance in a dual-task paradigm (N = 10) and (2) which learning effects can be expected in these tasks in a longitudinal study design (N = 20). In the subsequent space study (N = 3 astronauts), the influence of microgravity and haptic settings of the joystick were investigated. For this purpose, three mission sessions after 2, 4, and 6 weeks on board the International Space Station (ISS), as well as terrestrial pre- and post-flight sessions, were conducted. The results of the studies indicated that (1) additional cognitive load led to longer reaction times during aiming and increased tracking error while aiming precision was not affected. (2) Significant learning effects were evident for most measures in the study on time effects. (3) Contrary to the expected learning trend, microgravity impaired the aiming precision performance of all astronauts in the initial phase of adaptation (2 weeks in space). No other significant effects were found. Intriguingly, these performance decrements could be compensated for with low to medium spring stiffness and virtual mass. The general result pattern provides further evidence that distorted proprioception during early adaptation to microgravity conditions is one main mechanism underlying sensorimotor impairment.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sensorimotor impairments during spaceflight: Trigger mechanisms and haptic assistance

Weber

Stelzer

2022

Front. Neuroergonomics

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“…As space agencies plan for longer-duration missions beyond low-Earth orbit, understanding and mitigating the effects of microgravity on astronaut health becomes increasingly critical [ 3 ]. While microgravity induces substantial changes in various physiological systems [ 1 , 2 ], substantial inter-individual variability exists in the extent to which astronauts experience adverse effects from microgravity exposure [ 4 ]. Although currently speculative, this suggests that in the future, biomarkers could potentially be used to forecast an individual astronaut's resilience to the challenges presented by microgravity environments [ 5 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential Biomarkers of Resilience to Microgravity Hazards in Astronauts

Minoretti,

Fontana,

Lavdas

et al. 2024

Cureus

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Space exploration exposes astronauts to the unique environment of microgravity, which poses significant health challenges. Identifying biomarkers that can predict an individual’s resilience to the stressors of microgravity holds great promise for optimizing astronaut selection and developing personalized countermeasures. This narrative review examines the principal health risks associated with microgravity and explores potential biomarkers indicative of resilience. The biomarkers being evaluated represent a broad spectrum of physiological domains, including musculoskeletal, neurological, immunological, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and cutaneous systems. Earth-based microgravity analogs, such as dry immersion and head-down tilt bed rest, may provide valuable platforms to validate candidate biomarkers. However, biomarker sensitivity and specificity must be further evaluated to ensure efficacy and reliability. Establishing a panel of biomarkers predictive of resilience to microgravity-induced health risks would significantly enhance astronaut health and mission success, especially for long-duration exploration missions. Insights gained may also translate to health conditions on Earth characterized by reduced physical activity and mechanical loading.

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Proprioceptive disturbances in weightlessness revisited

Proske,

Weber

2023

npj Microgravity

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The senses of limb position and movement become degraded in low gravity. One explanation is a gravity-dependent loss of fusimotor activity. In low gravity, position and movement sense accuracy can be recovered if elastic bands are stretched across the joint. Recent studies using instrumented joysticks have confirmed that aiming and tracking accuracy can be recovered in weightlessness by changing viscous and elastic characteristics of the joystick. It has been proposed that the muscle spindle signal, responsible for generating position sense in the mid-range of joint movement, is combined with input from joint receptors near the limits of joint movement to generate a position signal that covers the full working range of the joint. Here it is hypothesised that in low gravity joint receptors become unresponsive because of the loss of forces acting on the joint capsule. This leads to a loss of position and movement sense which can be recovered by imposing elastic forces across the joint.

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Aiming performance during spaceflight: Individual adaptation to microgravity and the benefits of haptic support

Cited by 8 publications

References 34 publications

Sensorimotor impairments during spaceflight: Trigger mechanisms and haptic assistance

Sensorimotor impairments during spaceflight: Trigger mechanisms and haptic assistance

Potential Biomarkers of Resilience to Microgravity Hazards in Astronauts

Proprioceptive disturbances in weightlessness revisited

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