Autonomic function testing on board the ISS-update on “Pneumocard”

The devices “Puls” and “Pneumocard” were developed to further investigate autonomic cardiovascular and respiratory function on board the ISS. Investigations on board the “Mir” station showed transient changes in neurohumoral regulation indicating individual adaptation of regulatory systems. Therefore, an experiment “Pulse” has been performed starting with the fifth expedition on the ISS. The aim of the experiment is to investigate adaptation of the autonomic nervous system by measuring cardiorespiratory parameters during standardized tests at zero-gravity. Our results suggest that the adaptation to zero-gravity in terms of the autonomic cardiorespiratory control was adequate in all cosmonauts (n=5). However, the characteristics of the responses during flight depend on the individual regulatory type. The individual evaluation of the regulatory systems especially during the initial stages of flight, during episodes of space sickness and after landing may shed light on critical changes of functional reserves and allow to reduce inflight and postflight disturbances.