Life sciences in space researchJul 17, 2015

Changes in heart rate and daily activity patterns of three astronauts during a space mission

Updated Jan 17, 2026

Abstract

A significant decrease in heart rate amplitudes was observed in all three astronauts during spaceflight.

Heart rate amplitudes were notably dampened during flight for all subjects.
Both minimum and maximum heart rates increased after returning from space.
One astronaut exhibited a phase shift in heart rate following the flight.
Body trunk activity and rhythmicity significantly decreased during spaceflight.
These changes indicate that the spaceflight environment disrupts heart function and daily activity patterns.

Simplified

Environmental factors in space are dramatically different from those on Earth. The spaceflight environment has been known to influence human physiology and behavior on orbital missions. In this study, we investigated alterations in the diurnal rhythms of activity and heart rate of three Chinese astronauts on a space mission. An analysis of the heart rate data showed a significant decrease in heart rate amplitudes during flight in all three subjects. The heart rate amplitudes of all the three astronauts were significantly dampened during flight, and the minimum as well as the maximum value of heart rate increased after flight. A phase shift in heart rate was observed in one of the three astronauts after flight. These results demonstrate the influence of spaceflight on heart physiology and function. In addition, a significant decrease in body trunk activity and rhythmicity occurred during flight, demonstrating that the spaceflight environment disturbs motion adaptation and diurnal activity rhythms.

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