Badminton in space: Assessing physical and mental well-being of astronauts during extended isolation

The sport of badminton has gained attention as a potential fitness activity for astronauts on extended space missions, offering a way to maintain physical health and improve coordination. This research investigates the feasibility of integrating badminton into space missions, focusing on its psychological and physical benefits. Conducted during a Moon Simulation Analog Astronaut Mission at the HI-SEAS Base in Hawaii, the study explores the impact of badminton on astronauts' well-being. Using the mood map survey technique, the research tracks emotional fluctuations and stress levels among five crew members from Belgium, Israel, India, and the U.S., identified as Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, and Echo. Data is collected before, during, and after badminton sessions, assessing mood, stress, resilience, and other psychological indicators. The results show that badminton significantly improves astronauts' psychological health, increasing energy and positive emotions while reducing fatigue and stress. The study also explores preferences such as shuttlecock choice and indoor versus outdoor play. Overall, the research highlights badminton as a promising tool for enhancing astronauts’ mental health and physical fitness during long-duration missions, offering both immediate and long-term benefits for space mission well-being. Our collected data of analog mission has the potential benefits, highlighting that further research is needed to assess feasibility and effectiveness in microgravity or deep space.