Relationship between simulated extravehicular activity tasks and measurements of physical performance

- CS, running V˙O2max, s-V˙O2max, and arm cranking V˙O2peak had the highest correlations with the physical abilities field test.
- For both men and women, CS had the highest correlation with physical abilities field test performance.
- For the 10 km Walkback, CS, s-V˙O2max, and running V˙O2max were significant predictors in both men and women.
- The present study indicates that CS and to a lesser extent V˙O2max are associated with two simulated EVA tests.

The purpose was to evaluate the relationships between tests of fitness and two activities that simulate components of Lunar- and Martian-based extravehicular activities (EVA). Seventy-one subjects completed two field tests: a physical abilities test and a 10 km Walkback test. The relationships between test times and the following parameters were determined: running V˙O2max, gas exchange threshold (GET), speed at V˙O2max (s-V˙O2max), highest sustainable rate of aerobic metabolism [critical speed (CS)], and the finite distance that could be covered above CS (D′): arm cranking V˙O2peak, GET, critical power (CP), and the finite work that can be performed above CP (W′). CS, running V˙O2max, s-V˙O2max, and arm cranking V˙O2peak had the highest correlations with the physical abilities field test (r = 0.66-0.82, P < 0.001). For the 10 km Walkback, CS, s-V˙O2max, and running V˙O2max were significant predictors (r = 0.64-0.85, P < 0.001). CS and to a lesser extent V˙O2max are most strongly associated with tasks that simulate aspects of EVA performance, highlighting CS as a method for evaluating astronaut physical capacity.