Assessment of Physiological Responses During Field Science Task Performance: Feasibility and Future Needs
Jordan R Hill1, Barrett S Caldwell1
1School of Industrial Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.
Frontiers in Physiology
|February 14, 2022
Summary
Understanding astronaut physiological responses during simulated Mars extravehicular activities (EVAs) is crucial for safety. Individual variability in heart rate and respiration necessitates personalized monitoring for future Mars missions.
Area of Science:
- Human physiology research
- Space exploration science
- Astronaut health and performance
Background:
- Mars human research analog study
- Planetary science sample analysis and return tasks
- Simulated Mars extravehicular activity (EVA) concept of operations
Purpose of the Study:
- Mitigate human performance safety risks during Mars EVAs
- Balance human health and safety with scientific mission return
- Assess physiological demands of different EVA tasks
Main Methods:
- Collected heart rate, respiration rate, and heart rate variability (HRV) data
- Utilized commercial off-the-shelf hardware and software
- Remotely monitored and analyzed physiological data in real-time
Main Results:
- Task responses showed significant individual variability
- Physiological responses were influenced by task dynamics and environment
- Parametric statistical analysis was not supported by distributional data
Conclusions:
- Extensive individual astronaut physiology study and modeling are required
- Develop individualized automated monitoring tools for Mars crew members
- Individual-level analysis and bootstrap methods are essential for performance determinations
