Brief Description
Humans move in immensely varied extreme environments; briefly or chronically, purposely or accidentally, in work or play. Extreme refers to very-stressful circumstances of –generally - heat, cold, fluid availability, pressure (esp. diving), terrestrial altitude, gravity and pollution. Movement itself also causes stress of various types, which may potentiate the environmental stressors, and be transiently adverse but chronically beneficial. Whereas, lack of these stressors – as in chronic inactivity or space travel – may be transiently 'safe' but chronically harmful. Modern societies have increasingly sought to 'protect' people from such stressors, and thus impose regulation on 'acceptable' exposures, leaving less room for self-determination. The main purpose of this symposium is to critically examine the issues (incl. pros and cons) of self- versus externally-determined human movement (acutely and chronically) in extreme environments. There are numerous ramifications of this debate, including factors such as health & safety, productivity, enjoyment and autonomy, protection versus adaptation.
When
7 to 9 of February 2013
Awards
Best Poster - "Moving when it's cold"