PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF REDUCED GRAVITY FIELDS,
Abstract
Considerable data have been collected concerning acceleration physiology from centrifuge, rocket sled, and drop tower studies but weightlessness has remained a poorly understood environment primarily because there is no way to duplicate it on earth. This report considers the various methods used to study or approximate the subgravity state and the results and extrapolations that have been drawn from them. The cardiovascular and musculoskeletal aspects of recent bed rest and water immersion studies are examined and results are compared with the data from actual space flights. Real weightlessness apparently has been an innocuous environment thus far, and the only factor of concern has been a tendency toward postural hypotension detected immediately following recovery after missions of 9 and 34 hours. As longer missions are achieved, other problems, such as muscle atrophy and excessive calcium mobilization, may appear. Psychomotor and psychological functions apparently have not been adversely affected by subgravity, thus far. Until weightlessness becomes a better understood environment, effective hypogravic protective techniques will be difficult to devise. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 30, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0430095
Entities
People
- Cleto Di Giovanni Jr.
- Randall M. Chambers
Organizations
- Naval Air Warfare Center Warminster