Stress and Recovery Responses during a 105-day Ground-based Space Simulation

The present study analysed the time course of the psychological process of stress and recovery in six healthy male volunteers during the Mars 105 experimentation, a 105-day ground-based space analogue. The multidimensional assessment of stress and recovery responses showed that stress levels decreased significantly throughout the 105-day isolated and confined extreme (ICE) experiment, especially on its social dimension. In line with previous studies, Fatigue showed a global and progressive reduction. The present results suggest that ICE exposure may not systematically induce stress overload and impaired psychological states. To optimize adaptation to ICE conditions, further improvements in positive psychological effects may be possible by improving the countermeasures, as well as the screening and selection of participants, in order to enhance coping capacities and to improve the balance of recovery-stress states.