VESTIBULAR-AUTONOMIC ADAPTATION OF NAVAL CADETS IN A PROLONGED SEA VOYAGE AND PHYSICAL CORRECTION

Abstract

Aim. This paper aims to evaluate vestibular-autonomic load factors during a prolonged sea voyage in naval cadets and to justify a physical conditioning program for preventing seasickness, postural instability, and reduced performance. Materials and methods. A field observational study was conducted under real-world conditions during a training sea voyage on a surface vessel. Data from the ship’s weather log over the 51-day voyage (sea state, wind speed, atmospheric pressure, and compartment temperature) were analyzed, along with the results of work-related stress assessments and evaluations of reduced performance in 188 cadets. Additionally, a two-stage survey using Boyko’s method was administered to 99 cadets in 2024 and 111 cadets in 2025. Results. The mean sea state score was 1.55 ± 0.73, with sea states of 3–4 points recorded on 5 days; wind speed was 7.43 ± 3.25 m/s; compartment temperature ranged between 12 °C and 32 °C. The total stress load increased from 140.5 to 167.5 points, corresponding to a 19.2% increase. The majority of cadets did not develop a pronounced maladaptation phase. However, 17.1 % of those examined in 2025 and 23.3 % of those examined in 2024 exhibited signs of developing or established resistance phases. Conclusion. A prolonged sea voyage should be considered a model of combined sensory, vestibular, thermal, and organizational load. To prevent reduced performance, this article proposes a corrective exercise program targeting gaze stabilization, vestibular habituation, postural control, respiratory regulation, and overall motor activation.