No Neuromuscular Side-Effects of Scopolamine in Sensorimotor Control and Force-Generating Capacity Among Parabolic Fliers

Ritzmann, Ramona; Freyler, Kathrin; Krause, Anne; Gollhofer, Albert

doi:10.1007/s12217-016-9504-y

Cited by 10 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…Before flight (30 min), participants were administered scopolamine (0.25 mg/1 mL; 0.7 mL for males and 0.5 mL for females) to prevent motion sickness ( Spinks and Wasiak, 2011 ; Ritzmann et al, 2016 ). The administration of scopolamine does not interfere with sensorimotor skills associated with neuromuscular control ( Ritzmann et al, 2016 ). One participant and the measurement operator had previously experienced MG and HG in parabolic flight.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microgravity and Hypergravity Induced by Parabolic Flight Differently Affect Lumbar Spinal Stiffness

Swanenburg¹,

Langenfeld²,

Easthope

et al. 2020

Front. Physiol.

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The objective of this study was to determine the response of the lumbar spinal motor control in different gravitational conditions. This was accomplished by measuring indicators of lumbar motor control, specifically lumbar spinal stiffness, activity of lumbar extensor and flexor muscles and lumbar curvature, in hypergravity and microgravity during parabolic flights. Three female and five male subjects participated in this study. The mean age was 35.5 years (standard deviation: 8.5 years). Spinal stiffness of the L3 vertebra was measured using impulse response; activity of the erector spinae, multifidi, transversus abdominis, and psoas muscles was recorded using surface electromyography; and lumbar curvature was measured using distance sensors mounted on the back-plate of a full-body harness. An effect of gravity condition on spinal stiffness, activity of all muscles assessed and lumbar curvature ( p ’s < 0.007) was observed (Friedman tests). Post hoc analysis showed a significant reduction in stiffness during hypergravity ( p < 0.001) and an increase in stiffness during microgravity ( p < 0.001). Activity in all muscles significantly increased during hypergravity ( p ’s < 0.001). During microgravity, the multifidi ( p < 0.002) and transversus abdominis ( p < 0.001) increased significantly in muscle activity while no significant difference was found for the psoas ( p = 0.850) and erector spinae muscles ( p = 0.813). Lumbar curvature flattened in hypergravity as well as microgravity, albeit in different ways: during hypergravity, the distance to the skin decreased for the upper ( p = 0.016) and the lower sensor ( p = 0.036). During microgravity, the upper sensor showed a significant increase ( p = 0.016), and the lower showed a decrease ( p = 0.005) in distance. This study emphasizes the role of spinal motor control adaptations in changing gravity conditions. Both hypergravity and microgravity lead to changes in spinal motor control. The decrease in spinal stiffness during hypergravity is interpreted as a shift of the axial load from the spine to the pelvis and thoracic cage. In microgravity, activity of the multifidi and of the psoas muscles seems to ensure the integrity of the spine. Swiss (BASEC-NR: 2018-00051)/French “EST-III” (Nr-ID-RCB: 2018-A011294-51/Nr-CPP: 18.06.09).

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microgravity and Hypergravity Induced by Parabolic Flight Differently Affect Lumbar Spinal Stiffness

Swanenburg¹,

Langenfeld²,

Easthope

et al. 2020

Front. Physiol.

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“…Based on the data presented by Ritzmann et al . 27 , which indicate that the medication with Scopolamine does not impede spinal excitability, maximal motor output and neuromuscular performance parameters (balance and jumps), it can be assumed that the injection also does not affect the muscle synergy organization.…”

Section: Methods and Computational Techniquementioning

confidence: 99%

Stumbling reactions in hypo and hyper gravity – muscle synergies are robust across different perturbations of human stance during parabolic flights

Holubarsch

Helm

Ringhof

et al. 2019

Sci Rep

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The control of bipedal stance and the capacity to regain postural equilibrium after its deterioration in variable gravities are crucial prerequisites for manned space missions. With an emphasize on natural orthograde posture, computational techniques synthesize muscle activation patterns of high complexity to a simple synergy organization. We used nonnegative matrix factorization to identify muscle synergies during postural recovery responses in human and to examine the functional significance of such synergies for hyper-gravity (1.75 g) and hypo-gravity (0.25 g). Electromyographic data were recorded from leg, trunk and arm muscles of five human exposed to five modes of anterior and posterior support surface translations during parabolic flights including transitional g-levels of 0.25, 1 and 1.75 g. Results showed that in 1 g four synergies accounted for 99% of the automatic postural response across all muscles and perturbation directions. Each synergy in 1 g was correlated to the corresponding one in 0.25 and 1.75 g. This study therefore emphasizes the similarity of the synergy organization of postural recovery responses in Earth, hypo- and hyper-gravity conditions, indicating that the muscle synergies and segmental strategies acquired under terrestrial habits are robust and persistent across variable and acute changes in gravity levels.

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“…Before each flight day, two participants were prepared for the measurements and were given a sex-weight-based injection of 0.2–0.7 ml of Scopolamine 30 min before takeoff to prevent motion sickness (Ritzmann et al, 2016).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stumbling Reactions in Partial Gravity – Neuromechanics of Compensatory Postural Responses and Inter-Limb Coordination During Perturbation of Human Stance

et al. 2019

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Spontaneous changes in gravity play a significant role in interplanetary space missions. To preserve the astronauts’ capability to execute mission-critical tasks and reduce the risk of injury in transit and on planetary surfaces, a comprehensive understanding of the neuromuscular control of postural responses after balance deterioration in hypo- or hyper-gravity conditions is essential. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of acute gravitational variation on postural adjustments in response to perturbations. Gravitational changes were induced using parabolic flight. Postural set was manipulated by randomly providing unilateral left, bilateral or split perturbations which require balance corrections to restore postural stability. In six subjects, postural reactions were recorded after anterior and posterior surface perturbations for progressively increased gravitational conditions spanning from 0.25 to 1.75 g. Ankle and knee joint kinematics and electromyograms (EMG) of eight leg muscles were recorded prior (PRE) and after perturbation onset. Muscle activation onset latencies and amplitudes in the short-, medium-, and long-latency responses (SLR, MLR, LLR) were assessed. Results demonstrate an increased muscle activity ( p < 0.05) and co-contraction in the lower extremities ( p < 0.05) prior to perturbation in hypo- and hyper-gravity. After perturbation, reduced muscle onset latencies ( p < 0.05) and increased muscle activations in the MLR and LLR ( p < 0.05), concomitant with an increased co-contraction in the SLR, were manifested with a progressive rise in gravity. Ankle and knee joint deflections remained unaffected, whereas angular velocities increased ( p < 0.05) with increasing gravitation. Effects were more pronounced in bi- compared to unilateral or split perturbations ( p < 0.05). Neuro-mechanical adaptations to gravity were more distinct and muscle onset latencies were shorter in the displaced compared to the non-displaced leg. In conclusion, the timing and magnitude of postural reflexes involved in stabilization of bipedal stance are gravity-dependent. The approximately linear relationship between gravity and impulse-directed EMG amplitudes or muscle onset latencies after perturbation indicates that the central nervous system correctly predicts the level of gravity. Moreover, it accurately governs contractions in the antigravity musculature to counterbalance the gravitational pull and to regain upright posture after its disturbance. Importantly, unilateral perturbations evoked fast reflex responses in the synergistic muscles of the non-displaced contralateral leg suggesting a synchronized inter-limb coordination mediated by spinal circuitries.

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No Neuromuscular Side-Effects of Scopolamine in Sensorimotor Control and Force-Generating Capacity Among Parabolic Fliers

Cited by 10 publications

References 46 publications

Microgravity and Hypergravity Induced by Parabolic Flight Differently Affect Lumbar Spinal Stiffness

Microgravity and Hypergravity Induced by Parabolic Flight Differently Affect Lumbar Spinal Stiffness

Stumbling reactions in hypo and hyper gravity – muscle synergies are robust across different perturbations of human stance during parabolic flights

Stumbling Reactions in Partial Gravity – Neuromechanics of Compensatory Postural Responses and Inter-Limb Coordination During Perturbation of Human Stance

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