title: Relationship between simulated extravehicular activity tasks and measurements of physical performance.
abstract: 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 10km 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 10km 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Exercise Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA. Electronic address: cade@ou.edu.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Ade
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA; Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Broxterman
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Craig
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Schlup
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Wilcox
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA.
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Barstow
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015308:Anaerobic Threshold / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D018478:Extravehicular Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D010807:Physical Endurance; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange / Q000502:physiology*; D012420:Running; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Critical speed; Endurance performance; Extravehicular activity