Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Borzan, V.
Effects of Complex Stressors on Heart Rate Variability in an Antarctic Space Analogue Environment
Humanmedizin; [ Diplomarbeit ] Graz Medical University; 2017. pp.
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- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Borzan Valentin
- Betreuer*innen:
- Goswami Nandu
- Moser Maximilian
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- Introduction: Long-term spaceflight features prolonged confinement and isolation, which could influence team interaction and cohesion. Routinely, isolated and confined environments (ICE) are used to study the effects of long-term isolation and confinement on group dynamics. However, the effects of long-term isolation on physiological parameters such as hemodynamics and autonomic function remain largely unstudied. Aim: This DA investigated heart rate and autonomic function changes in a winter-over team staying at an ICE environment. It also aimed at establish a link between the time spent in isolation and its effects on autonomic function. It was hypothesised that there is a correlation between autonomic changes and the exposure time to the ICE environment. Methods: The isolation study was carried out at Concordia station, a European station located in the Antarctic. Due to its remoteness, it is routinely used by the European Space Agency (ESA) to assess isolation effects on psycho-physiological parameters. Ten members of the winter-over team staying in Concordia for over nine months were investigated. Heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) were used as an index of autonomic function. For each individual SPSS was used to compare the HRV recordings over time. As the individual members´ results were only compared to those of the same member over time, the results were unique for each participant and not representative of any group of subjects. Therefore, the results were presented as case studies. Results: The results showed that the HRV parameters behaved very differently in each subject. While some had very high values, others had HRV values far below average, and the values often fluctuated from one day to the next more than they did from one month to the next. In the frequency spectrum analysis some members of the expedition showed periodic breathing, while others had respiratory sinus arrhythmia. Discussion: The findings suggest that autonomic adaptation to ICE environments is not primarily dependant on the time spent there, but rather on the individual´s resiliency to chronic stress. Further research is necessary to find out how to utilise and maximise this resiliency.