Gravity – NSBRI http://nsbri.org National Space Biomedical Research Institute Tue, 26 Jul 2016 15:59:04 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.5.9 Integrated Endurance and Resistance Exercise Countermeasures Using a Gravity-Independent Training Device http://nsbri.org/researches/integrated-endurance-and-resistance-exercise-countermeasures-using-a-gravity-independent-training-device/ Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:53:11 +0000 http://nsbri.org/researches/integrated-endurance-and-resistance-exercise-countermeasures-using-a-gravity-independent-training-device/ Maintaining astronaut health and physical fitness is a major challenge of long-duration spaceflight. NASA has determined that current flight-rated exercise hardware is not appropriate for use on exploration vehicles. Dr. Gregory R. Adams will investigate the effectiveness of a new exercise device for use during long-duration spaceflights. The device is designed to maintain cardiovascular and […]

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]]> Maintaining astronaut health and physical fitness is a major challenge of long-duration spaceflight. NASA has determined that current flight-rated exercise hardware is not appropriate for use on exploration vehicles. Dr. Gregory R. Adams will investigate the effectiveness of a new exercise device for use during long-duration spaceflights. The device is designed to maintain cardiovascular and musculoskeletal fitness of astronauts by providing high-resistance strength or low-resistance endurance exercises.

The project will have three phases. The first involves subjects using the device to perform strength and cardiovascular exercise during normal gravity conditions. The second and third phases call for subjects to exercise in conjunction with increased levels of inactivity, which simulates conditions of microgravity. Study participants do short-duration interval cardiovascular exercises designed to reduce the time needed for exercise. On alternate days, the device will be configured for strength training, which has been shown to result in increased muscle strength and size.

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]]> Calpains in Simulated Microgravity-Induced Muscle Atrophy http://nsbri.org/researches/calpains-in-simulated-microgravity-induced-muscle-atrophy/ Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:53:11 +0000 http://nsbri.org/researches/calpains-in-simulated-microgravity-induced-muscle-atrophy/ Space-induced muscle atrophy can threaten astronauts’ performance during extended space missions, and Dr. Parker B. Antin is looking at the biomedical causes of this problem. Dr. Antin is exploring ways to reduce muscle atrophy by inhibiting the activity of calpain, an enzyme thought to degrade protein molecules in muscle. Information gained will broaden understanding of […]

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]]> Space-induced muscle atrophy can threaten astronauts’ performance during extended space missions, and Dr. Parker B. Antin is looking at the biomedical causes of this problem. Dr. Antin is exploring ways to reduce muscle atrophy by inhibiting the activity of calpain, an enzyme thought to degrade protein molecules in muscle. Information gained will broaden understanding of muscle growth and may lead to approaches for alleviating muscle atrophy in space and on Earth.

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]]> Role of Muscle Loading on Mechanisms of Protein Translation and the Impact on Unloading-Induced Atrophy http://nsbri.org/researches/role-of-muscle-loading-on-mechanisms-of-protein-translation-and-the-impact-on-unloading-induced-atrophy/ Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:53:11 +0000 http://nsbri.org/researches/role-of-muscle-loading-on-mechanisms-of-protein-translation-and-the-impact-on-unloading-induced-atrophy/ Exposure to the space environment causes muscle wasting and alters the muscle fibers involved in contraction. Studies suggest that these changes are caused by an imbalance between the synthesis and degradation rates of muscle proteins, and Dr. Kenneth M. Baldwin is identifying how space conditions alter the body’s mechanisms that regulate protein levels. Through an […]

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]]> Exposure to the space environment causes muscle wasting and alters the muscle fibers involved in contraction. Studies suggest that these changes are caused by an imbalance between the synthesis and degradation rates of muscle proteins, and Dr. Kenneth M. Baldwin is identifying how space conditions alter the body’s mechanisms that regulate protein levels. Through an animal study, he is developing a resistance-training program to reduce muscle atrophy and muscle fiber changes.

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]]> Force Regulation as a Countermeasure to Muscle Atrophy http://nsbri.org/researches/force-regulation-as-a-countermeasure-to-muscle-atrophy/ Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:53:11 +0000 http://nsbri.org/researches/force-regulation-as-a-countermeasure-to-muscle-atrophy/ A weightless environment causes astronauts to suffer muscle atrophy and reduced strength, and considerable attention has focused on identifying exercise prescriptions to reduce this loss. While evidence exists that resistance exercise is partially successful in reducing muscle atrophy, a definitive exercise prescription has not been identified that is suitable for conditioning skeletal muscle. In this […]

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]]> A weightless environment causes astronauts to suffer muscle atrophy and reduced strength, and considerable attention has focused on identifying exercise prescriptions to reduce this loss. While evidence exists that resistance exercise is partially successful in reducing muscle atrophy, a definitive exercise prescription has not been identified that is suitable for conditioning skeletal muscle. In this animal study, Dr. Kenneth Baldwin’s goals are to determine the effectiveness of specific types of resistance exercises, to test and optimize exercises most effective at lessening atrophy, and to determine the effectiveness of resistance training in combination with pharmaceuticals (such as protease inhibiters), as compared to resistance training alone. Ultimately, the objective is to identify a resistance-training prescription that can be efficiently performed (minimizing time constraints), requires simple, yet reliable equipment devices, and is attractive to the astronauts for compliance.

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]]> Possible Countermeasures to Post-Suspension Hypotension in the Head-Down Tilt Rat Model http://nsbri.org/researches/possible-countermeasures-to-post-suspension-hypotension-in-the-head-down-tilt-rat-model/ Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:52:10 +0000 http://nsbri.org/researches/possible-countermeasures-to-post-suspension-hypotension-in-the-head-down-tilt-rat-model/ Exposure to weightlessness causes deconditioning of the cardiovascular system, resulting in hypotension (abnormally low blood pressure), but the specific mechanisms involved in this process are unknown. In an animal model, Dr. Mohamed A. Bayorh is exploring overproduction of nitric oxide and prostacyclin as causes of cardiovascular deconditioning, and he is testing ways to inhibit their […]

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]]> Exposure to weightlessness causes deconditioning of the cardiovascular system, resulting in hypotension (abnormally low blood pressure), but the specific mechanisms involved in this process are unknown. In an animal model, Dr. Mohamed A. Bayorh is exploring overproduction of nitric oxide and prostacyclin as causes of cardiovascular deconditioning, and he is testing ways to inhibit their release in an attempt to lessen hypotension.

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]]> Radiation, Endothelial Cell Senescence, Accelerated Aging and Atherosclerosis http://nsbri.org/researches/radiation-endothelial-cell-senescence-accelerated-aging-and-atherosclerosis/ Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:52:09 +0000 http://nsbri.org/researches/radiation-endothelial-cell-senescence-accelerated-aging-and-atherosclerosis/ Exposure to ionizing radiation is a health risk to astronauts, especially on long-duration spaceflight missions. Potential side effects include atherosclerosis and the accelerated aging of blood vessels. The lining of blood vessels, known as the endothelium, is especially sensitive to radiation. This project addresses the hypotheses that radiation will increase endothelial cell damage, decrease the […]

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]]> Exposure to ionizing radiation is a health risk to astronauts, especially on long-duration spaceflight missions. Potential side effects include atherosclerosis and the accelerated aging of blood vessels. The lining of blood vessels, known as the endothelium, is especially sensitive to radiation. This project addresses the hypotheses that radiation will increase endothelial cell damage, decrease the ability for endothelial cells to repair themselves and increase endothelial cell aging. Dr. Artin A. Shoukas and colleagues will test two countermeasures, oxypurinol and statins (the class of drugs that lowers the level of cholesterol), to determine their ability to lessen the adverse effects of radiation-related endothelial dysfunction.

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]]> Integrative Cardiac Myocyte Model: Ion Channels, Ca and Contraction http://nsbri.org/researches/integrative-cardiac-myocyte-model-ion-channels-ca-and-contraction/ Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:52:09 +0000 http://nsbri.org/researches/integrative-cardiac-myocyte-model-ion-channels-ca-and-contraction/ Several independent mechanisms are used to regulate the heart, and the interactions of these mechanisms are not fully understood. Dr. Donald M. Bers is building a computer-based, detailed model of cardiac muscle to look at the mechanisms as a system. The work will lead to a better understanding of the heart’s adaptations when entering the […]

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]]> Several independent mechanisms are used to regulate the heart, and the interactions of these mechanisms are not fully understood. Dr. Donald M. Bers is building a computer-based, detailed model of cardiac muscle to look at the mechanisms as a system. The work will lead to a better understanding of the heart’s adaptations when entering the space environment and upon returning to Earth.

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]]> SPACE-COT: Studying the Physiological and Anatomical Cerebral Effects of Carbon Dioxide and Tilt http://nsbri.org/researches/space-cot-studying-physiological-anatomical-cerebral-effects-carbon-dioxide-tilt/ Tue, 26 Jul 2016 15:51:26 +0000 http://nsbri.org/?post_type=research&p=22325 The SPACE COT study was a landmark international collaboration led by investigators from Baylor College of Medicine and DLR (German Aerospace Institute) to simulate the conditions on International Space Station that may give rise to the visual impairment intracranial pressure (VIIP) syndrome.  Healthy subjects were exposed to a combination of 12 degree head down tilt […]

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]]> The SPACE COT study was a landmark international collaboration led by investigators from Baylor College of Medicine and DLR (German Aerospace Institute) to simulate the conditions on International Space Station that may give rise to the visual impairment intracranial pressure (VIIP) syndrome.  Healthy subjects were exposed to a combination of 12 degree head down tilt (HDT) with regular air versus HDT and elevated carbon dioxide (0.5% CO2).  An integrated approach was applied to measure brain, ocular, and systemic physiology using gold standard and novel innovative methods.  The results suggest that HDT and CO2 may have both detrimental and beneficial effects on various aspects of human performance.  Based on the findings so far, it is likely that an individualized assessment of astronauts will be necessary to understand how they will respond to the fluid shifting and carbon dioxide exposure during space flight.

Video: Watch this overview of the SPACE COT project, an international space biomedical study that took place in Cologne, Germany in June 2015.

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]]> Development of Countermeasures to Enhance Sensorimotor Adaptation http://nsbri.org/researches/development-of-countermeasures-to-enhance-sensorimotor-adaptation/ Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:54:03 +0000 http://nsbri.org/researches/development-of-countermeasures-to-enhance-sensorimotor-adaptation/ Astronauts are subject to sensorimotor disturbances when they enter a new gravity environment, such as the lunar or Mars surface. These disturbances can disrupt their abilities to carry out mission tasks. Previous research has shown training will lead to faster adaptation to new environments. Dr. Jacob Bloomberg and his colleagues are developing a comprehensive training […]

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]]> Astronauts are subject to sensorimotor disturbances when they enter a new gravity environment, such as the lunar or Mars surface. These disturbances can disrupt their abilities to carry out mission tasks. Previous research has shown training will lead to faster adaptation to new environments.

Dr. Jacob Bloomberg and his colleagues are developing a comprehensive training program that will enhance astronauts’ ability to “learn how to learn,” leading to rapid adaptation to a new gravity environment. The team has designed and is testing a unique training system comprised of a treadmill placed on a motion base facing a virtual visual scene that provides a variety of sensory challenges that serve as training modalities to enhance sensorimotor adaptability. The researchers are determining how to optimize training to maximize efficacy, efficiency and retention of the training program.

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]]> Developing Predictive Measures of Sensorimotor Adaptability to Produce Customized Countermeasure Prescriptions http://nsbri.org/researches/developing-predictive-measures-of-sensorimotor-adaptability-to-produce-customized-countermeasure-prescriptions/ Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:58:12 +0000 http://nsbri.org/researches/developing-predictive-measures-of-sensorimotor-adaptability-to-produce-customized-countermeasure-prescriptions/ The post Developing Predictive Measures of Sensorimotor Adaptability to Produce Customized Countermeasure Prescriptions appeared first on NSBRI.

]]> The post Developing Predictive Measures of Sensorimotor Adaptability to Produce Customized Countermeasure Prescriptions appeared first on NSBRI.

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