Adaptational changes in the neural control of cardiorespiratory function in a confined environment - The CNEC no. 3 experiment

The goal of the study was to characterize the changes in neurovegetative control of circulation attending the presumed physiological and psychological stress originated by the isolation and confinement typical of the living conditions of space stations, as simulated in a ground-based unit using time and frequency domain analysis. As a secondary goal we sought to verify the implementation of real time data acquisition for off-line spectral analysis of R-R interval, systolic arterial pressure, and respiration. We addressed the cardiorespiratory and neurovegetative responses to standardized, simple stressors on the EXEMSI 92 crew, before, during, and after the isolation period. On average, the appropriate excitatory responses (to stand, dynamic, and static handgrip) were also elicited also in isolation and confinement. Active standing and small-mass muscle exercises are easy to perform in a confined and isolated environment and provide a valuable tool for investigating the adaptational changes in neural control mechanisms. (Author)