Similarities between sustained sport performance and behavior in extended spaceflights.

Abstract

Extended spaceflights seem to be similar to lengthy sport trials, in which top athletes are stressed by confinement and are still asked to maintain a high level of performance, staving off fatigue and performance decrements. The athletes use coping strategies and recovery techniques in order to compensate for unexpected workoverload during sustained operation. Astronauts probably experience similar conditions, and they may use similar coping strategies and recovery techniques. Since sustained and continuous operation preferably affects the mental capabilities required for complex tasks, particular attention should be paid to decrements of mental and psychological performance and to techniques that could be used specifically for the recovery of a satisfactory level of performance.