Impactos psicofisiológicos de ambientes isolados, confinados e extremos no contexto militar: uma revisão integrativa

Abstract

NTRODUCTION: Isolated, Confined, and Extreme (ICE) environments, such as those found in military, polar, naval, and space operations, impose multiple psychophysiological objectives on individuals. Prolonged confinement, exposure to extreme temperatures, social isolation, and sensory deprivation compromise mental health, cognition, physiological adaptation, and operational performance. In the military context, understanding these effects is essential for the selection, preparation, and care of troops. METHOD: This is an integrative literature review based on 18 national and international scientific studies. Articles that directly or indirectly addressed the psychophysiological, occupational, and interpersonal effects of human exposure in ICE environ- ments were included, with a special focus on the military context and its analogues (such as Antarctic stations, submarines, and space simulations). The databases used included specialized academic journals and official documents. RESULTS: The studies developed indicate that exposure to ICE environments can cause hormonal, cognitive, emotional and behavioral changes, in addition to challenges related to coexistence, leadership and physical performance. Among the main stressors identified are: sleep deprivation, interpersonal conflicts, mood swings, altered perception of time, immune dysregulation, loss of body mass, communication difficulties and feelings of homesickness. The practice of mindfulness, nutritional preparation, pre-mission training and psychological support were recognized as effective preventive measures. The importance of technology applied to climate monitoring, such as biosensors and telemedicine, is also highlighted. CONCLUSION: The literature shows that ICE environments impact individuals in a multidimensional way, requiring integrated approaches to preparation, prevention and ongoing care. In the military context, strategies such as resilience-based selection, adaptive training, psychoeducational interventions, remote support and personalized logistical plans are essential to preserve the health and operational effectiveness of troops. This study reinforces the need to incorporate psycho- social, physiological and cultural variations in the planning of military missions in extreme contexts.