The relationship between preflight underwater training and space motion sickness

Space Motion Sickness (SMS) severity was compared to WETF-(Weightless Environment Training Facility) trained and nontrained astronauts. Based on postflight medical debriefings, SMS severity was categorized as none, mild, moderate, and severe. The results show 63% of all crewmembers on their first shuttle flight experience SMS. Of those, 55% have symptoms ranked moderate to severe. From the nontrained group, 35% have no SMS, 18% mild, 29% moderate, and 18% severe. From the trained group, 41% have no SMS, 41% mild, 15% moderate, and 3% severe SMS. The results indicate an inverse relationship (p less than 0.01) between WETF training and SMS severity. Preflight WETF training may have operational significance as a viable countermeasure to SMS.