De Martino Enrico, Green David A, Ciampi de Andrade Daniel, Weber Tobias, Herssens Nolan
Department of Health Science and Technology, Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
Space Medicine Team, European Astronaut Centre, Cologne, Germany.
Front Neurol. 2023 Feb 6;14:1062349. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1062349. eCollection 2023.
Human movement is optimized to Earth's gravity and based on highly complex interactions between sensory and neuro-muscular systems. Yet, humans are able to adapt-at least partially-to extreme environments upon and beyond Earth's surface. With upcoming Lunar Gateway and Artemis missions, it is crucial to increase our understanding of the impact of hypogravity-i.e., reduced vertical loading-on physiological and sensory-motor performances to improve countermeasure programs, and define crewmember's readiness to perform mission critical tasks. Several methodologies designed to reduce vertical loading are used to simulate hypogravity on Earth, including body weight support (BWS) devices. Countering gravity and offloading the human body is also used in various rehabilitation scenarios to improve motor recovery in neurological and orthopedic impairments. Thus, BWS-devices have the potential of advancing theory and practice of both space exploration and terrestrial rehabilitation by improving our understanding of physiological and sensory-motor adaptations to reduced vertical loading and sensory input. However, lack of standardization of BWS-related research protocols and reporting hinders the exchange of key findings and new advancements in both areas. The aim of this introduction paper is to review the role of BWS in understanding human movement in simulated hypogravity and the use of BWS in terrestrial rehabilitation, and to identify relevant research areas contributing to the optimization of human spaceflight and terrestrial rehabilitation. One of the main aims of this research topic is to facilitate standardization of hypogravity-related research protocols and outcome reporting, aimed at optimizing knowledge transfer between space research and BWS-related rehabilitation sciences.
人类运动是根据地球引力进行优化的，并且基于感觉和神经肌肉系统之间高度复杂的相互作用。然而，人类能够至少部分地适应地球表面及以外的极端环境。随着即将到来的月球门户和阿尔忒弥斯任务，至关重要的是要增进我们对微重力（即垂直负荷减少）对生理和感觉运动性能的影响的理解，以改进应对措施方案，并确定机组人员执行关键任务的准备情况。有几种旨在减少垂直负荷的方法被用于在地球上模拟微重力，包括体重支持（BWS）设备。对抗重力和减轻人体负荷也被用于各种康复场景中，以改善神经和骨科损伤后的运动恢复。因此，BWS设备有潜力通过增进我们对生理和感觉运动对垂直负荷和感觉输入减少的适应的理解，推动太空探索和地面康复的理论与实践。然而，BWS相关研究方案和报告缺乏标准化阻碍了这两个领域关键发现的交流和新进展。本介绍性论文的目的是回顾BWS在理解模拟微重力中的人体运动以及在地面康复中的应用的作用，并确定有助于优化人类太空飞行和地面康复的相关研究领域。本研究主题的主要目标之一是促进与微重力相关的研究方案和结果报告的标准化，旨在优化空间研究与BWS相关康复科学之间的知识转移。
