Postural adaptation to microgravity underlies fine motor impairment in astronauts' speech

Abstract

Understanding the role of anti-gravity behaviour in fine motor control is crucial to achieving a unified theory of motor control. We compare speech from astronauts before and immediately after microgravity exposure to evaluate the role of anti-gravity postures during fine motor skills. Here we show a generalized lowering of vowel spaces after space travel, which suggests a generalized postural shift of the articulators. Biomechanical modelling of the vocal tract in simulated 1g and 0g conditions supports this analysis – the jaw and tongue are pulled down in 1g, but movement trajectories of the tongue are otherwise unaffected. These results demonstrate the role of anti-gravity posture in fine motor behaviour and provide a basis for the unification of motor control models across domains.