LSDA - Experiment

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EXPERIMENT INFORMATION

Physiological Factors Contributing to Postflight Changes in Functional Performance (Functional Task Test) (FTT)

Principal Investigator

+ Bloomberg, Jacob J.

Bioastronautics Roadmap

+ Cardiovascular Alterations
+ Skeletal Muscle Alterations
+ Sensory-Motor Adaptation

Species Studied

Homo sapiens (Human)

Experiment Description

OBJECTIVES:
Astronauts experience alterations in multiple physiological systems due to exposure to the microgravity conditions of space flight. These physiological changes include sensorimotor disturbances, cardiovascular deconditioning, and loss of muscle mass and strength. These changes may lead to a disruption in the ability to walk and perform functional tasks during the initial reintroduction to gravity following prolonged space flight and may cause significant impairments in performance of operational tasks immediately following landing.

The objective of this study is to identify the key underlying physiological factors that contribute to changes in performance of a set of functional tasks that are representative of critical mission tasks for lunar and Mars operations. Astronauts will be tested on an integrated suite of functional and interdisciplinary physiological tests before and after short and long-duration space flight. Using this strategy, the investigators will be able to: 1) identify critical mission tasks that may be impacted by alterations in physiological responses; 2) map physiological changes to alterations in functional performance; and 3) design and implement countermeasures that specifically target the physiological systems responsible for impaired functional performance.

The proposed functional test battery and associated physiological measures were formulated during discussions with intramural experts at NASA's Johnson Space Center who are developing the requirements and scenarios for lunar and Mars planetary activities and extramural experts in human performance and physiological testing. The outcome of this process resulted in a basic set of seven functional task tests (FTT) and a corresponding set of physiological measures specifically targeting the sensorimotor, cardiovascular, and muscle changes associated with exposure to space flight. The set of functional tasks making up the FTT include the: 1) Seat Egress and Walk Test, 2) Ladder Climb Test, 3) Recovery from Fall/Stand Test, 4) Rock Translation Test, 5) Jump Down Test, 6) Torque Generation Test, and 7) Construction Activity Board Test. Corresponding physiological measures include assessments of vestibular function, dynamic visual acuity, fine motor control, postural and locomotor stability, plasma volume, orthostatic intolerance, upper and lower body muscle strength, power, fatigue, control, and neuromuscular drive.

Specific aims:

(1) Determine the effects of short and long-duration spaceflight on functional performance.
(2) Compare the rate of recovery in functional performance between short and long- duration spaceflight.
(3) Determine how postflight changes in sensorimotor, cardiovascular, and muscle physiology impact functional performance.

++ -- Description Continues

APPROACH:
Functional task preflight data collection will occur at L-180 (180 days before launch, familiarization of crew with testing procedures and first data collection) and at L-60 and L-30. Postflight data collection will occur on landing day (R+0). Both short-duration (Shuttle) and long-duration (ISS) subjects are required. Shuttle crew subjects will complete the full set of both functional and physiological tests. Data will be collected as soon as possible after landing. Due to postflight timeline constraints for long duration ISS subjects, they will only perform the Fine Motor Control, Seat Egress and Walk, and Recovery from Fall/Stand Tests. These data will be collected at the Baseline Data Collection Facility (BDCF) at the Kennedy Space Center for short and long-duration crewmembers returning via the Shuttle. For ISS crewmembers returning via the Soyuz, data collection will occur in Star City, Russia. Postflight data collection for both Shuttle and ISS crews will also occur at R+1, R+6, and R+30, where all subjects will complete the full set of both functional and physiological tests.

RESULTS:
This study is currently in progress. Results will be available once the study is complete and the investigators have had an opportunity to publish.

Keywords :
• Ataxia
• Cardiovascular deconditioning
• Muscular atrophy

Data Information

Data Preservation Status

Preservation in progress

Data Availability

Experiment is described. Some data may be on the Web site, and additional data may be available at a later date.

Measurements

• Bench press, fatigue index
• Bench press, force of steadiness
• Bench press, maximal isometric force
• Bench press, maximal power
• Bench press, rate of development

++ -- Measurements Continue

• Bench press, total work
• Blood volume
• Carboxyhemoglobin
• Dynamic visual acuity score
• EQ score
• Functional stretch reflex latency
• Hematocrit
• Hemoglobin
• High frequency power of R-R intervals
• Knee extension central activation
• Knee extension force steadiness
• Leg press, fatigue index
• Leg press, maximal isometric force
• Leg press, maximal power
• Leg press, rate of force development
• Leg press, total work
• Low frequency power of R-R intervals
• Maximum isometric torque
• Mean diastolic blood pressure
• Mean heart rate
• Mean systolic blood pressure
• Number of dropped pegs
• Number of obstacles hit
• Number of steps on line test
• Number of turns
• Peak resultant force
• Plasma volume
• Preparatory response latency
• Red blood cell volume
• Settling time
• Time to complete (seconds)
• Total power of R-R intervals

Space Flight Missions

Mission

Launch/Start Date Landing/End Date Duration

+ International Space Station (ISS) Assembly Flight 17A

08/28/2009 09/11/2009 14 days

+ Human Research Facility on Expedition 22

11/30/2009 05/15/2010 In Progress

Other Information About This Experiment

Co-Investigators

+ Feeback, Daniel L.
+ Feiveson, Alan H.
+ Lee, Stuart M. C.
+ Mulavara, Ajitkumar P.
+ Peters, Brian T.
+ Platts, Steven
+ Reschke, Millard F.
+ Ryder, Jeffrey
+ Spiering, Barry A
+ Stenger, B. Michael
+ Wood, Scott J.

Managing NASA Center

Johnson Space Center (JSC)

Responsible NASA Representative

Johnson Space Center LSDA Office
Project Manager: Mary A. Fitts

Institutional Support

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Experiment Types

+ International Space Station (ISS)
+ Shuttle Ongoing Research

Alternate Experiment Names

DSO 640

Research Areas

Cardiovascular physiology
Muscle physiology
Neurophysiology