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Long-term adaptation of postural control in microgravity.
G Baroni1, G Ferrigno, M Rabuffetti
1Bioengineering Center, Politecnico di Milano - Fondazione Pro Juventute Don Carlo Gnocchi, Via Gozzadini 7, I-20148 Milano, Italy, baroni@mail.cbi.polimi.it
Experimental Brain Research
|September 29, 1999
Summary
Astronauts adapt their posture in microgravity over time. While trunk alignment remains stable, body center of mass shifts backward, indicating a long-term adaptation towards Earth-like balance control.
Area of Science:
- Human physiology
- Space medicine
- Sensorimotor adaptation
Background:
- Microgravity alters sensory inputs crucial for maintaining balance.
- Understanding postural control in space is vital for astronaut health and mission safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively evaluate long-term postural strategies during spaceflight.
- To investigate sensorimotor adaptation to weightlessness over a 4-month period.
Main Methods:
- Two subjects were monitored for 4 months in orbital microgravity.
- Postural strategies were assessed with feet fixed to the space module floor.
- Analysis focused on trunk axis alignment and body center of mass positioning.
Main Results:
- Trunk axis orientation was preserved, serving as a stable postural reference.
- Body center of mass showed a significant backward bias.
- Adaptation of body center of mass positioning occurred throughout the mission.
Conclusions:
- Trunk alignment is a primary, stable reference for posture in microgravity.
- Body center of mass regulation undergoes long-term adaptation in spaceflight.
- This adaptation trends towards re-establishing terrestrial postural control mechanisms.