We assessed the effects of sustained weightlessness on chest wall mechanics in five astronauts who were studied before, during, and after the 10-day Spacelab D-2 mission (n = 3) and the 180-day Euromir-95 mission (n = 2). We measured flow and pressure at the mouth and rib cage and abdominal volumes during resting breathing and during a relaxation maneuver from midinspiratory capacity to functio...

M A N N E D SPACE flight is now a reality and data is available regarding the physiologic effects of short periods of weightlessness. 1 The results of our initial manned orbital space flights indicate that although certain phys io log ica l changes do occur during relatively short exposures to weightlessness, such changes have not been of operational significance and have been of a rather minor...

Term blob is used with reference to 3D models with smooth shapes which can be described as a liquid in weightlessness. There are several methods of getting blobs. Our main goal has been to present novel method called GSE (Generalized Sphere Equation). GSE method allows getting models which are generalization of classical blobs. This paper includes description of input data, mathematical interpr...

Background High-load resistance exercise (HRE) and low-load blood flow restricted (BFR) exercise have demonstrated efficacy for attenuating unloading related muscle atrophy and dysfunction. Protein consumption immediately before and/or after exercise has been shown to increase the skeletal muscle anabolic response to resistance training. The purpose of this study was to compare the skeletal mus...

Diamagnetic levitation is a technique that uses a strong, spatially varying magnetic field to reproduce aspects of weightlessness, on the Earth. We used a superconducting magnet to levitate growing bacterial cultures for up to 18 h, to determine the effect of diamagnetic levitation on all phases of the bacterial growth cycle. We find that diamagnetic levitation increases the rate of population ...

Understanding the effects of gravity on biological organisms is vital to the success of future space missions. Previous studies in Earth orbit have shown that the common fruitfly (Drosophila melanogaster) walks more quickly and more frequently in microgravity, compared with its motion on Earth. However, flight preparation procedures and forces endured on launch made it difficult to implement on...

The gravitational field is an important determinant of cardiovascular function. Exposure to microgravity during spaceflight may lead to a series of maladaptive alterations in the cardiovascular system. The authors have previously demonstrated that microgravity can increase the susceptibility to myocardial ischemia‑reperfusion (IR) injury under simulated microgravity. Although Notch1 signaling pr...

This article describes the results of the "ellipses" experiment conducted during the second French-Soviet spaceflight (project Aragatz). The realization of oriented motor tasks, on the basis of internal body representation and without visual feedback, was chosen as a paradigm for studying the determinants of spatial orientation under weightlessness. The process of drawing ellipses in the air, u...

A L T H O U G H tilt table procedures have been used extensively in the study of the circulatory system, most studies have been with subjects in the feet-down position. 1,2 The tilt table provides a means of studying the influence of g force upon the circulatory system. When an individual is strapped to the tilt table, feet down, in the vertical position r he is exposed to + 1 g. When tilted to...

This paper reviews the interventions to stabilize calcium balance and bone metabolism and prevent bone loss in astronauts during space flight. Weightlessness during space flight results in calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin K deficiency, increases urinary calcium excretion, decreases intestinal calcium absorption, and increases serum calcium level, with decreased levels of serum parathyroid hormon...