Static Postural Analysis: A Methodology to Assess Gravity Related Sensory-Motor Controls’ Status for Astronauts

Static postural analysis not only provides classic musculoskeletal and spinal symptoms along with clinical data, but also specific neurophysiological markers that identify the occurrence of Postural Deficiency Syndrome (PDS). The symptoms of PDS have been shown recently to correlate with astronaut’s Space Adaptation Syndrome (SAS) and Post-Flight Adaptation Syndrome (PFAS) related symptoms. This correlation is briefly reviewed and expanded upon with respect to the importance of static postural data in understanding these symptoms. A neurophysiological assessment methodology is discussed to illustrate how specific postural data combined with vestibular and ocular-visual data can explain PDS symptoms as they relate to the sensory-motor controls. A selection of research objectives is suggested in terms of future considerations on better understanding SAS and PFAS as applied to astronaut operations.