Characterization of Joint Resistance and Performance Degradation of the Extravehicular Mobility Unit Spacesuit

Abstract

Introduction:The primary objective of this pilot study was to characterize human performance degradations caused by the pressurized Extravehicular Mobility Unit Spacesuit (EMU). Method: This study assessed maximum strength (force) for elbow flexion/extension and shoulder abduction/adduction for three EMU suit conditions. Results: Statistically significant differences were observed between suit conditions during elbow flexion. Differences of practical significant were observed between suit conditions for mean peak elbow flexion and extension, but not for shoulder abduction/adduction. EMU resistance to movement was found to differ based on the direction of movement. Discussion: Characteristics of the EMU spacesuit may reduce performance for some movements and improve performance for others.

A Parametric Model of Shoulder Articulation for Virtual Assessment of Space Suit Fit

“…This model is based on the upper body poses articulated without wearing a suit ("active poses"). However, it has been reported that wearing a space suit, particularly with the HUT and scye bearings, generally changes the patterns of upper-body poses [12], [13]. For example, the orientation of the scye bearings often results in subjects protracting their shoulders forward to a much greater extent even in a neutral pose than they would normally do when standing neutrally unsuited.…”

“…Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on 3D Body Scanning Technologies, Lugano, Switzerland, 30 Nov. -1 Dec. 2016 Thus, the right shoulder and upper extremity geometry can be constructed either of two different sets of vertex coordinates, namely the global coordinates and the coordinates estimated from the local-to-global transformation (Equation 4). To resolve the redundancy, a weighted average function (Equation 5) was applied to determine the final averaged coordinates ‫ܘ(‬ ୴ୣ୰ୟୣୢ ).…”

“…Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on 3D Body Scanning Technologies, Lugano, Switzerland, 30 Nov -1 Dec. 2016. …”

Modeling Occupational Fingernail Onycholysis Disorders in the Population of US Astronauts Who Have Engaged in Extravehicular Activity

“…During EVAs, astronauts must wear gas-pressurized spacesuits to protect their bodies from the harsh conditions of space. Although these spacesuits are effective in keeping astronauts alive, they are known to severely limit human performance (i.e., by reducing joint mobility and strength) (Amick, Reid, England, & Rajulu, 2015; Gonzalez, Maida, Miles, Rajulu, & Pandya, 2002; Morgan, Wilmington, Pandya, Maida, & Demel, 1996; Reid et al, 2014) and pose a risk of musculoskeletal discomforts and injuries (Anderson et al, 2012; Anderson, Newman, & Welsch, 2015; Charvat, Norcross, Reid, & McFarland, 2015; Opperman, Waldie, & Newman, 2009; Scheuring, Mathers, Jones, & Wear, 2009; Strauss, 2004; Strauss, Krog, & Feiveson, 2005; Williams & Johnson, 2003).…”