title: Parabolic flight experience is related to increased release of stress hormones.
abstract: Numerous studies have shown significant effects of weightlessness on adaptational processes of the CNS, cardiovascular and/or muscular system. Most of these studies have been carried out during parabolic flights, using the recurring 20 s of weightlessness at each parabola. Although some of these studies reported on potential influences not only of weightlessness but also of the stressful situation within a parabolic flight, especially provoked by the ongoing changes between 1.8, 1 and 0 G, so far there seems to be only marginal information about objective parameters of stress evoked by parabolic flights. By collecting blood samples from a permanent venous catheter several times during parabolic flights, we were able to show an increase of prolactin, cortisol and ACTH in the course of a 120 min flight. We conclude, therefore, that previous reported effects of weightlessness on adaptational processes may be affected not only by weightlessness but also by the exposure to other stressors experienced within the environment of a Zero-G airbus.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Motor Control and Movement Technique, Department of Exercise Neuroscience, German Sport University Cologne, Köln, Germany. schneider@dshs-koeln.de
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Brümmer
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Göbel
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Carnahan
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dubrowski
authors.forename: Heiko K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Strüder
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006112:Gravitation; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D018489:Space Motion Sickness / Q000097:blood; D014893:Weightlessness
chemical_list: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D011388:Prolactin; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine