Perception of body translation amplitude in altered gravity during parabolic flight

IntroductionThis study aimed to assess how individuals perceive the amplitude of passive body translation in microgravity and hypergravity.MethodsSix subjects participated in parabolic flights aboard the Novespace A-310 Zero-G aircraft, performing tasks that involved linear translation ranging from...

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Main Authors: Gilles Clément, Olga Kuldavletova, Gaëlle Quarck, Timothy R. Macaulay, Scott J. Wood, Pierre Denise
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Physiology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1595836/full
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author Gilles Clément
Olga Kuldavletova
Gaëlle Quarck
Timothy R. Macaulay
Scott J. Wood
Pierre Denise
author_facet Gilles Clément
Olga Kuldavletova
Gaëlle Quarck
Timothy R. Macaulay
Scott J. Wood
Pierre Denise
author_sort Gilles Clément
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionThis study aimed to assess how individuals perceive the amplitude of passive body translation in microgravity and hypergravity.MethodsSix subjects participated in parabolic flights aboard the Novespace A-310 Zero-G aircraft, performing tasks that involved linear translation ranging from 25 to 250 cm across different axes, all while blindfolded. After each motion stimulus, subjects reported their perceived displacement, while trial duration and movement amplitude and dynamics were recorded.ResultsResults showed that the perceived amplitudes of translations were accurate in 1 g. However, subjects significantly underestimated distances in 0 g and overestimated them in 1.8 g.DiscussionThese findings suggest that, in microgravity, the lack of gravitational cues disrupts the vestibular system’s ability to provide accurate information on body movement, leading to altered motion perception. The role of temporal cues in estimating movement, particularly when gravitational input is altered, is inferred since the reports were made following each trial. Countermeasures such as visual aids and proprioceptive devices could help astronauts improve distance and time estimates during long-duration missions, especially in vehicles with restricted visibility or when operating rovers on Lunar or Martian terrains.
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publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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spelling doaj-art-bc0ef0e4f61e41b8a9e29bee40e1f5a12025-08-20T02:25:40ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Physiology1664-042X2025-05-011610.3389/fphys.2025.15958361595836Perception of body translation amplitude in altered gravity during parabolic flightGilles Clément0Olga Kuldavletova1Gaëlle Quarck2Timothy R. Macaulay3Scott J. Wood4Pierre Denise5KBR, Houston, TX, United StatesUniversité de Caen Normandie, INSERM, COMETE U1075, CYCERON, CHU de Caen, Caen, FranceUniversité de Caen Normandie, INSERM, COMETE U1075, CYCERON, CHU de Caen, Caen, FranceNASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, United StatesNASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, United StatesUniversité de Caen Normandie, INSERM, COMETE U1075, CYCERON, CHU de Caen, Caen, FranceIntroductionThis study aimed to assess how individuals perceive the amplitude of passive body translation in microgravity and hypergravity.MethodsSix subjects participated in parabolic flights aboard the Novespace A-310 Zero-G aircraft, performing tasks that involved linear translation ranging from 25 to 250 cm across different axes, all while blindfolded. After each motion stimulus, subjects reported their perceived displacement, while trial duration and movement amplitude and dynamics were recorded.ResultsResults showed that the perceived amplitudes of translations were accurate in 1 g. However, subjects significantly underestimated distances in 0 g and overestimated them in 1.8 g.DiscussionThese findings suggest that, in microgravity, the lack of gravitational cues disrupts the vestibular system’s ability to provide accurate information on body movement, leading to altered motion perception. The role of temporal cues in estimating movement, particularly when gravitational input is altered, is inferred since the reports were made following each trial. Countermeasures such as visual aids and proprioceptive devices could help astronauts improve distance and time estimates during long-duration missions, especially in vehicles with restricted visibility or when operating rovers on Lunar or Martian terrains.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1595836/fulltranslation perceptiontime perceptionvestibular systemaltered gravityspace exploration
spellingShingle Gilles Clément
Olga Kuldavletova
Gaëlle Quarck
Timothy R. Macaulay
Scott J. Wood
Pierre Denise
Perception of body translation amplitude in altered gravity during parabolic flight
Frontiers in Physiology
translation perception
time perception
vestibular system
altered gravity
space exploration
title Perception of body translation amplitude in altered gravity during parabolic flight
title_full Perception of body translation amplitude in altered gravity during parabolic flight
title_fullStr Perception of body translation amplitude in altered gravity during parabolic flight
title_full_unstemmed Perception of body translation amplitude in altered gravity during parabolic flight
title_short Perception of body translation amplitude in altered gravity during parabolic flight
title_sort perception of body translation amplitude in altered gravity during parabolic flight
topic translation perception
time perception
vestibular system
altered gravity
space exploration
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1595836/full
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AT timothyrmacaulay perceptionofbodytranslationamplitudeinalteredgravityduringparabolicflight
AT scottjwood perceptionofbodytranslationamplitudeinalteredgravityduringparabolicflight
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