Human challenges to adaptation to extreme professional environments: A systematic review

• Published in: Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews 2023-03, Vol.146, p.105054, Article 105054
• Main Authors: Le Roy, Barbara, Martin-Krumm, Charles, Pinol, Nathalie, Dutheil, Frédéric, Trousselard, Marion
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptation; Adaptation, Physiological; Extreme and Unusual Environment; Extreme Environments; Health; Humans; Isolated and Confined Environment; Life Sciences; Moon; Neurosciences; Space Flight; Stress
• ISSN: 0149-7634; 1873-7528
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105054

NASA is planning human exploration of the Moon, while preparations are underway for human missions to Mars, and deeper into the solar system. These missions will expose space travelers to unusual conditions, which they will have to adapt to. Similar conditions are found in several analogous environments on Earth, and studies can provide an initial understanding of the challenges for human adaptation. Such environments can be marked by an extreme climate, danger, limited facilities and supplies, isolation from loved ones, or mandatory interaction with others. They are rarely encountered by most human beings, and mainly concern certain professions in limited missions. This systematic review focuses on professional extreme environments and captures data from papers published since 2005. Our findings provide an insight into their physiological, biological, cognitive, and behavioral impacts for better understand how humans adapt or not to them. This study provides a framework for studying adaptation, which is particularly important in light of upcoming longer space expeditions to more distant destinations. [Display omitted] •Space analogues should be rethought for the next long space missions.•Significant inter-individual variability and mixed results in extreme environments.•Positives and non-changes results could be signs of adaptation.•Post-mission recovery needs to be studied.