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Sensorimotor adaptations to microgravity in humans.

V R Edgerton1, G E McCall, J A Hodgson

  • 1Brain Research Institute, Department of Physiological Science University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1527, USA. vre@ucla.edu

The Journal of Experimental Biology
|October 3, 2001
PubMed
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Space flight increases muscle activation in ankle muscles, with higher torques and muscle activity observed post-flight. This suggests programmed work schedules, not just microgravity, influence motor control adaptations.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Human Physiology
  • Space Medicine

Background:

  • Microgravity significantly alters motor function, but specific sensorimotor system changes and their impact on movement control remain unclear.
  • The distinction between immediate and chronic adaptations to microgravity's effects on motor performance is not well-defined.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of microgravity on the neural control properties of specific motor pools.
  • To determine how adaptations in sensorimotor systems influence movement control during and after space flight.

Main Methods:

  • Four astronauts on the NASA STS-78 mission performed ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion torque maintenance tasks at 10% and 50% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC).
  • Electromyographic (EMG) activity of soleus (Sol), medial gastrocnemius (MG), and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles were recorded pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight.
Keywords:
NASA Discipline MusculoskeletalNASA Experiment Number 284036Non-NASA Center

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Main Results:

  • Post-flight plantarflexion torques were higher than pre- and in-flight values, especially at 50% MVC.
  • In-flight soleus (Sol) EMG amplitudes were elevated for both 10% and 50% MVC plantarflexion tasks.
  • Tibialis anterior (TA) EMG amplitudes increased in-flight and post-flight for the 50% MVC plantarflexion task, and in-flight for dorsiflexion tasks.

Conclusions:

  • Space flight consistently elevated agonist and antagonist muscle activation levels during constant torque maintenance.
  • Increased total EMG activity in tibialis anterior (TA) and soleus (Sol) muscles was observed in-flight.
  • These findings suggest that programmed work schedules during space missions, rather than solely microgravity, contribute to altered muscle activation patterns.