Centrifugation as a countermeasure during actual and simulated microgravity: a review

Abstract

This paper summarizes what has been learned from studies of the effects of artificial gravity generated by centrifugation in actual and simulated weightless conditions. The experience of artificial gravity during actual space flight in animals and humans are discussed. Studies using intermittent centrifugation during bed rest and water immersion, as a way to maintain orthostatic tolerance and exercise capacity, are reviewed; their results indicate that intermittent centrifugation is a potential countermeasure for maintaining the integrity of these physiological functions in extended space missions. These results can help set guidelines for future experiments aimed at validating the regimes of centrifugation as a countermeasure for space missions. Current and future research projects using artificial gravity conditions in humans are discussed.

Long-term dry immersion: review and prospects

“…Dry immersion was first developed and has been used mainly by Russian scientists (Grigor'ev et al 2004;Kozlovskaia 2008;Shulzhenko andVil-Vilyams 1975, 1976, and many other authors whose results are discussed below). Only a few non-Russian scientists have mentioned the specific model of dry immersion (Clement and Pavy-Le Traon 2004;Iwase et al 2000;Nicogossian et al 1993;Somody et al 1999;Watenpaugh and Hargens 1996). To our knowledge, apart from those performed in Russian facilities, dry immersion studies have only been conducted in India (Modak and Banerjee 2004) and Austria (Berger et al 2001;Saling et al 2002;Struhal et al 2002).…”

“…The following have all been tested using dry immersion as a model of microgravity: periodic acceleration (Clement and Pavy-Le Traon 2004;Grigor'ev and Shul'zhenko 1979;Shulzhenko et al 1977;Vil-Viliams 1994;Vil'-Vil'iams and Shul'zhenko 1980), the antigravity suit (Shul'zhenko et al 1983b;Vil-Viliams et al 1996), cycle ergometer training (Vil-Viliams 1994;Vil'-Vil'iams and Shul'zhenko 1980), electromyostimulation (Eshmanova 2009;Eshmanova et al 2008Eshmanova et al , 2009Koryak et al 2008;Kozlovskaia 2008;Ogneva et al 2009), water-salt supplements (Kokova 1984;Shulzhenko et al 1977), the use of thigh cuffs and the simultaneous use of thigh and forearm cuffs (Atkov and Bednenko 1992), the compensator of support unloading by mechanic stimulation of foot support zones (Grigor'ev et al 2004;Khusnutdinova et al 2004;Kozlovskaya 2002;Kozlovskaya et al 2007a, b;Kornilova et al 2004;Layne and Forth 2008;Mel'nik et al 2006;Moukhina et al 2004;Netreba et al 2005Netreba et al , 2006Popov et al 2003;Shenkman et al 2004a, b;Vinogradova et al 2002a), and pharmacological remedies [the stimulant sydnocarb, N-phenylcarbamoyl-3-(beta-phenylisopropyl)sydnonimine (Anashkin and Beliaev 1982), amlodipine (sarcolemmal L-Ca 2? channel blocker; Eshmanova et al 2008), peroral dry lactobacterin, topical collagen-immobilized lactobacterin …”

Electrical Stimulation of Acupuncture Points and Blood Pressure Responses to Postural Changes: A Pilot Study

“…Gravity has a significant effect on the physiological response of the cardiopulmonary system, 24 and an increase in gravitational forces can markedly affect cardiac output and respiratory work. 25,26 Usually, when a person's position is changed from supine to head-down, venous return to the heart will initially increase in response to the hydrostatic effect and subsequently stroke volume, cardiac output, and blood pressure increase. 27 When body position is returned from head-down to supine lying, stroke volume, cardiac output, and blood pressure will decrease because of a decrease in venous return and ventricular filling.…”

Flight to Mars: Envelope simulation in a ground based high-performance human centrifuge

“…Space missions are a combination of extreme gravity environments: The high-G exposure of take-off and reentry can lead to GLOC, which as a major factor of air crashes [20,21].…”