PASS_Isolation

Physical activity for better sleep and psychophysiological state during Isolation (PASS_Isolation)        

Aim

The project intends to examine the correlation between physical activity, sleep, mood and cognitive performance. It is assumed that active isolated people are less impacted by isolation in terms of sleep, mood and cognitive decrements. EEG and blood data are suggested to provide insights into underlying mechanisms. The results aim to support recommendations for exercise and sleep interventions for long-term isolated people as well as the general population.

Methods

All volunteers will complete the same testing protocol. The intervention group will be isolated for 30 days (campaign 3) or 45 days (campaign 4) in the HERA module of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in Houston, Texas. A non-isolated control group is tested in the Institute of Movement and Neurosciences at the German Sport University Cologne. Participants are requested to train daily from Monday to Friday and voluntarily on weekends alternating between bicycle and resistance exercise for 30 minutes in campaign 3. In campaign 4 physical training is reduced by 50%. Before, during as well as after the intervention period participants are requested to complete questionnaires concerning sleep quantity, sleep and awakening quality as well as positive and negative affect. Cognitive tests will allow observing cognitive performance and training logs are completed. Resting electroencephalography (EEG) is recording brain electro-cortical activity. Actigraphy will be performed during the whole pre, in and post intervention period. Blood will be drawn in order to analyze stress hormone, melatonin and neurotrophic factor concentrations.

The project is supported by a scientific cooperation agreement of the German Space Agency (DLR) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) (50WB1516).