POSSIBILITIES TO STUDY FORCE AND ENERGY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CARDIAC MUSCLE IN MICROGRAVITY USING BALLISTOCARDIOGRAPHY

Abstract

The paper is concerned with measuring force and energy of the cardiac muscle contraction in microgravity using spatial ballistocardiography (Cardiovector). The investigations were performed with participation of cosmonauts twice prior to launch, once a month during a mission, and on recovery days 3/4 and 7/8. Absence of significant changes in contraction force and energy reduction in space can be explained by the effort economy. Mission extension does not lead to energy reduction to levels that would suggest the development of energy deficit.