Biomechanical sex differences of crewmembers during a simulated space capsule landing

The objective of this study was to observe the differences in the biodynamic responses of male and female crewmembers during a simulated Soyuz spacecraft (short-duration flights) impact landing.

There were 16 volunteers (8 men and 8 women) recruited to sit in a pseudo-supine position and be exposed to several impact acceleration pulses. The acceleration peaks ranged from 7.7 to 11.8 g with a duration of around 50 ms. Acceleration responses from the drop platform and seat, and at the volunteers' head, shoulder, chest, and ilium were measured.

Results indicated that there were significant gender-based differences in the peak acceleration measured from volunteers' shoulders and iliums. The peak decelerations measured at the head and ilium were relatively higher than those measured at other levels on the seat.

It was recommended that more attention be focused on the sex differences of biodynamic responses of crews in the study of new protective designs for space capsule and personal life support equipment.