The Effect of Mental Stressors on the Cardiovascular System in Various Gravitational Environments
- Paper number
IAC-12,A1,2,15.p1,x13305
- Author
Mr. Jeffrey R. Osborne, University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies, Canada
- Coauthor
Ms. Maria Victoria Alonsoperez, Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), Uruguay
- Coauthor
Mr. David Ferrer Desclaux, Spain
- Coauthor
Dr. Nandu Goswami, Medical Universitz of Graz, Austria
- Coauthor
Prof. Antoni Perez-Poch, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (UPC), Spain
- Coauthor
Mr. Daniel Ventura-Gonzalez, Aeroclub Barcelona-Sabadell, Spain
- Coauthor
Dr. Maximilian Moser, Austria
- Coauthor
Dr. Vincent Grote, Austria
- Year
2012
- Abstract
When an astronaut transitions from a low to high gravitational environment, fluid shifts from the head towards the feet results in orthostatic intolerance, leading to syncope. Ground based experiments have shown that by stimulating the cardiovascular system via simple mental stressors, syncope can be delayed, potentially enabling astronauts to reach assistance before loss of consciousness. However, the effect of mental stressors on the stimulation of the cardiovascular system is unknown in gravitational environments different than that of Earth's. As such, this paper investigates the effects that mental stressors have under various gravitational environments. To do this, a pilot study was performed in which two participants were flown on two seperate parabolic flights that simulated hyper and hypogravity conditions. The plane used was an Aerobatic Single-Engine Cap-10B plane (twin seater), and each participant executed 11 parabolas. The participants were the winners of the Barcelona Zero-G Challenge 2011 organized by UPC Barcelona Tech and Aeroclub Barcelona-Sabadell. Measurements were made of the participants' hemodynamic and autonomic response throughout the parabolas. Comparisons of the baseline response without mental stressors, and the response with mental stressors were made. From this it was concluded that mental stressors increase the heart rate both in a hyper and hypogravity environment as compared with the baseline case with no mental stressors.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-12,A1,2,15.p1,x13305.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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