Technical Paper
Effects on Man of 46-Day Life in a Confined Space at Normal Pressure
1991-07-01
911533
Six volunteers were selected and submitted at regular intervals throughout a 46-day control experiment in a climatic chamber to a large number of biological investigations (respiratory function, acid-base balance, circulatory function, biochemical determinations on blood and urine specimens) as well as psychomotor tests. The results obtained clearly indicate that two kinds of adaptation occur: the first occurring during the first 2-3 days of confinement essentially marked by a significant increase of urinary volume and electrolyte output; the second, throughout the experiment mainly consists of a slight and progressive decrease of red blood cell count and plasma potassium. Other parameter changes were well within range of the measuring technique's accuracy and physiological background; except for urinary calcium output which still remained elevated. Finally, confinement failed to induce any significant degradation in psychomotor performances in spite of a sensation of fatigue.