Key result
Microgravity exposure during space flight did not significantly change the force of cardiac contraction but decreased cardiac energy, without reaching levels indicating energy deficiency.
Why the study?
The study was conducted to assess the force and energy characteristics of the cardiac muscle in microgravity using spatial ballistocardiography.
Does microgravity exposure during space flight alter the force and energy characteristics of the cardiac muscle in cosmonauts?
Observational
Does microgravity exposure during space flight alter the force and energy characteristics of the cardiac muscle in cosmonauts?
Microgravity during space flight leads to decreased cardiac energy expenditure without significant changes in contraction force, suggesting an adaptive economization of cardiac work.
Supports adaptive cardiac economization in microgravity; leaves open long-term effects on astronaut health and mission duration.
The article is devoted to the assessment of force and energy characteristics of the heart muscle in microgravity using the method of spatial ballistocardiography. The studies were conducted with the participation of Russian cosmonauts who performed space flights of various durations. Physiological signals were recorded using the Cardiovector device. The experiment was carried out twice before the flight, monthly during the flight, and also on days +3–4 and +7–8 after return to Earth. It has been shown that the force of cardiac contraction does not change significantly, but the energy decreases, which can be explained by the principle of economizing the work of the heart under space flight conditions. Mission extension does not lead to significant energy reduction to levels that could indicate possible signs and risks of energy deficiency.
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Luchitskaya et al. (2023) reported an observational. Microgravity (space flight) vs. Pre-flight baseline was evaluated on Force and energy characteristics of the heart muscle. Microgravity exposure during space flight did not significantly change the force of cardiac contraction but decreased cardiac energy, without reaching levels indicating energy deficiency.
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