The Effect of Center of Gravity and Anthropometrics on Human Performance in Simulated Lunar Gravity

The off-nominal center of gravity (CG) induced by the portable life-support system of Apollo astronauts had an impact on crewmembers' stability. Lack of stability is believed to have been a contributor to the falls and reduced performance experienced by the Apollo crewmembers. Work is being conducted at the NASA Johnson Space Center to assess how spacesuit CG location affects human performance in simulated lunar gravity. The results acquired to date have shown correlation between CG location and performance. The preliminary study presented in this paper also shows a correlation between subject trunk-to-height ratio and performance in reduced gravity, suggesting that human performance in reduced gravity may depend more on anthropometric proportions than on body segment lengths and mass/weight. The results of this study were intended to focus future detailed logistic regression analyses on potential anthropometric factors that may affect human performance in reduced gravity.