NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

OpNom: Body Measures

Overview | Description | Applications | Operations | Results | Publications | Imagery

Experiment Overview


Brief Summary

Currently, NASA does not have sufficient in-flight anthropometric data (body measurements) gathered to assess the impact of physical body shape and size changes on suit sizing.  This study will involve collecting anthropometric data (body measurements) using digital still and video imagery and a tape measure to measure segmental length, height, depth, and circumference data for all body segments (i.e., chest, waist, hip, arms, legs, etc.) from astronauts for pre-, post?, and in-flight conditions.

Principal Investigator(s)

Sudhakar Rajulu, Ph.D., Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, United States

Co-Investigator(s)/Collaborator(s)

Karen Young, Lockheed Martin, ABF, Houston, TX, United States

Christopher Reid, Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, United States

Thomas Dirlich, Ergonomics Institute & Aeronautics Institute & TUM, Germany

Developer(s)

Johnson Space Center, Human Research Program, Houston, TX, United States

Sponsoring Space Agency

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Sponsoring Organization

Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD)

Research Benefits

Information Pending

ISS Expedition Duration:

March 2013 - September 2014

Expeditions Assigned

35/36,37/38,39/40

Previous ISS Missions

Information Pending

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Experiment Description

Research Overview

• NASA does not have sufficient in-flight anthropometric data gathered to assess the impact of physical body shape and size changes on suit sizing.

•  Microgravity effects on body measurements (lengths, breadths, widths, circumferences, and joint angles of subjects exposed to microgravity in an unsuited condition) will be gathered and documented.

• If/how individual neutral body posture (NBP) is influenced by these factors will be determined.

• This research will gather preliminary data so that we can better understand the magnitude and variability of the changes to body measurements.

Description

This study will help NASA quantify the impacts of microgravity on anthropometry to ensure optimal crew performance, fit, and comfort. Additional in-flight physical changes due to neutral body postures (NBP) and the effects of spaceflight on NBP during extended exposure to microgravity also need to be quantified. This study will use simplistic data collection techniques, digital still and video data, to perform photogrammetric analyses to determine the changes that occur to the body shape, size, and NBP while exposed to a microgravity environment.

Anthropometric measurements will be collected from crew participants during one pre-flight data collection session, three to six in-flight data collection points (early, mid, and late mission at a minimum), and one post-flight data collection session. In-flight data collection will include photo and video-based measurements for body lengths and postures, as well as measurement of body segment circumferences using a tape measure. Ground-based data collection sessions will be performed in the US Lab mockup at JSC and will also include the collection of anthropometric measurements using an anthropometer, tape measure, and photographs. The video portion of the investigation will not be performed pre- and post-flight.

Flight hardware requirements for this study require a kit to be flown with commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware. The kit will include a tape measure, spherical body markers, adhesives for attachment of the body markers, head caps, spandex shorts and top, and blindfolds for NBP.

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Applications

Space Applications

This will be the first time that all of these proposed measures are collected in space.  It is anticipated that body measurements will change due to microgravity and fluid shifts. The goal of this study is to gather preliminary data to better understand the magnitude and variability of these changes. This data is important to be able to determine the changes that may occur during long-duration space flight and to be able to apply the changes to suit fit, suit sizing, workstation design, etc. for future missions to maximize performance, prevent injury, and reduce crew time for altering or adjusting their suits, workstation, etc. to accommodate their anthropometrics.

Earth Applications

This investigation will benefit people on earth by providing information for the design of medical devices and provide a better understanding of how bed rest, similar to space flight, can affect body changes. This investigation will also potentially update the Neutral Body Posture that is widely used for design standards for Earth applications.

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Operations

Operational Requirements

• Twelve subjects are needed.

• Three nominal sessions will be performed (early, mid, and late during their mission).  Three additional reserve sessions will be performed, if crew time allows.

• Real time video downlink is required for verification of camera placement.

• Measurement recordings, photos and videos shall be downlinked after each session.

• Photographs and video should be taken in front of an EXPRESS rack with space available for movement through the different required body positions.

Operational Protocols

During in-flight data collection sessions, circumference measurements and photographic and video imagery will be collected during each session.  The subject will begin the session by setting up the two cameras.  Once the cameras are set up, the operator will place the body markers on the subject.  The subject will then stand in front of a specified ISS rack in the US Lab module to collect photographic imagery in three postures:  a front facing posture (front), side with right arm extended 45°(side 1), and side with right arm abducted 90° (side 2).  The operator will take two sets of pictures per posture.  After the still photographs are collected, the operator will take the body markers off of the subject and adjust the cameras to collect video of the subject performing Neutral Body Posture (NBP) while floating unrestrained.  NBP consists of performing three phases:  an effort phase, a relaxed phase, and a neutral phase. The effort phase consists of the subject maintaining a starting posture, such as a stretched, crouched, or asymmetrical posture.  The effort phase is then followed by the relaxed phase in which the subject relaxes and transitions between the effort posture and a neutral body posture.  This NBP sequence is repeated 3-4 times per session, altering and randomizing the effort phase posture each time in the session.  The operator will then collect each circumference measurement twice using the provided tape measure, and the measurements will be recorded in the Data Collection Tool (DCT).  Once the collection of circumference measurements is complete, the subject will disassemble the camera set-up and stow the equipment for the next data collection session. The subject will then prepare the memory cards for data transfer to the ground of the photographs, video, and measurements.

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Results/More Information

Information Pending

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Related Websites

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Imagery

This image contains the subject outfitted with body markers and positioned in each of the three poses that will be used for photographic measurements:  a front facing posture (left), side with right arm extended 45°(middle), and side with right arm abducted 90° (right).

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