[Psychophysiological characteristics of the sensorimotor activity of operators after short-term simulated...

Changes in operator's sensorimotor activity and their effect on the control of a dynamic object after short-term exposure to simulated hypogravity were investigated. Hypogravity effects were simulated by a 6-day head-down tilt (-10 degrees) study and a 1-day water immersion study. Changes in the structure of actions seen after study (greater use of controllers in the longitudinal axis, alteration of bioelectric activity of muscles involved in movement arrangement, shift of their spectral power toward higher frequencies) are considered as objective indicators of disrupted automatism of controlling skills. A peculiar psychic compensation of disorders in the coordination structure of movements was a longer time used to control the position and movement of an object in the longitudinal plane. Partial disruption of automatized controlling skills after short-term exposure to simulated hypogravity facilitates a decrease in operator's reliability, when he is to perform sophisticated and precise functions.