The psychophysiological state of a person in altered magnetic conditions

Introduction. Due to the fact that manned space flights beyond Earth orbit are planned in the near future, it becomes relevant to study the effects of the Earth’s reduced magnetic field on humans. Objective. To evaluate the features of sensorimotor reactions, quality of night sleep (nocturnal sleep) and the development of daytime sleepiness during a 24-hour stay under hypomagnetic conditions (HMC). Materials and methods. Experimental studies with the participation of 6 male volunteers aged 26 to 37 years were conducted in 2023. In total, four experimental series were carried out, lasting 24 hours each. The subjects were exposed to hypomagnetic conditions in three groups (the average value was between 0.05–0.14 µT). There was no exposure to such conditions in the placebo group. The research methods included questionnaires regarding the quality and characteristics of night sleep, daytime wakefulness, as well as the study of sensorimotor functions. Statistical processing was carried out by the Statistica 13.0 software package. Results. Daytime sleepiness was found to increase under hypomagnetic conditions in 66% of observations as compared to 33% of cases in the placebo series (p=0.003). Immediately following the cessation of experimental exposure, a rapid activation of the central nervous system was observed, which was expressed in a statistically significant decrease in the total visual-motor reaction time. Conclusions. Under hypomagnetic conditions, the work of brain sleep mechanisms is preserved. Daytime drowsiness that develops under hypomagnetic conditions indicates the possibility of changes in circadian rhythmicity in brain activating systems. The rapid activation of the central nervous system reported immediately following the termination of hypomagnetic conditions has a compensatory character. The revealed features of hypomagnetic conditions influence on the sleep-wake cycle and sensorimotor functions suggest further studies of daytime sleepiness using additional subjective and objective methods of wakefulness level and activity of the central nervous system assessment.