EFFECT OF LONG-TERM SPACE MISSIONS ON THE BIOMECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF LOCOMOTIONS WITH AN ADDITIONAL MOTOR TASK
Goal of the investigation is extantion of our knowledge about the gravity-dependent changes in motor control due to a prolonged stay in the spaceflight conditions using the stepping-over-obstacle test. The paper presents mechanical characteristics of locomotions performed by 7 cosmonauts onboard the International space station in 171 ± 19 day missions. Subjects of analysis were time of standing on one leg and distance of the knee joint, ankle joint and distal aspect of foot elevation over the obstacle, as well as angles of the hip, knee and ankle joints of the leg first to step over. It was shown that after long space missions the stepping-over task was fulfilled with lowered joint amplitudes as compared to the pre-flight data. Time of standing on one leg and distance between the obstacle and leg first to step over were both increased considerably only at the hight of 30 cm.