Centrifugation protocol for the NASA Artificial Gravity-Bed Rest Pilot Study.
We have implemented a 41-day ground-based study to investigate the effects of daily artificial gravity loading on bed rest deconditioned human subjects. Each subject underwent 21 days of 6 degree head-down bed rest. Treatment subjects received 60 min daily doses of inertial mechanical loading (2.5 G at the feet decreasing to 1 G at the heart) produced by a short radius centrifuge. During rotation, the subject's cardiovascular responses were monitored via ECG, blood pressure and pulse oximetry, and subjective assessment of motion sickness and overall health were periodically requested. The subject's weight distribution at the feet was measured using a force plate, and lower leg muscle activity was monitored via surface electromyography. Control subjects were instrumented but did not receive any centrifugation. This paper provides details on the centrifuge protocol development and efficacy.
Arya
Maneesh
M
Wyle Life Sciences, 1290 Hercules, Houston, TX 77058, USA. maneesh.arya-1@nasa.gov
Paloski
William H
WH
Young
Laurence R
LR
D000328:Adult; D001510:Bed Rest / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D018493:Cardiovascular Deconditioning; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002498:Centrifugation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004244:Dizziness / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004576:Electromyography; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D018470:Gravity, Altered / Q000009:adverse effects; D018475:Head-Down Tilt; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009041:Motion Sickness / Q000209:etiology; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology; D010092:Oximetry; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012107:Research Design; D013026:Space Flight; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States; D018557:United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration; D018544:Weightlessness Countermeasures; D018474:Weightlessness Simulation