Changes of catecholamine excretion during long-duration confinement.

Abstract

Simulation studies have become the main source of data about small group interactions during prolonged isolation, from which it should be possible to anticipate crew problems during actual space missions. International Space Station (ISS) astronauts and cosmonauts will form one international crew, although living in different national modules. They will have joint flight protocols, and at the same time, fulfill a number of different tasks in accord with their national flight programs. Consistent with these concepts, we studied two simultaneously functioning groups in a simulation of ISS flight. The objective of this study was to investigate physiological parameters (such as catecholamine excretions) related to long-duration confinement in the hermetic chamber, simulating International Space Station flight conditions. We also planned to evaluate the relationship between epinephrine/norepinephrine with group dynamics and social events to predict unfavorable changes in health and work capability of the subjects related to psychological interaction in the isolation chamber.