Introduction: Microgravity causes the deconditioning of many physiological systems, and there is great interest in developing effective countermeasures. We recently developed a short-arm human-powered centrifuge, and the primary objective of this study was to assess the hemodynamic and metabolic responses to exercise under hypergravity conditions.
Methods: Phase I compared the hemodynamic and metabolic responses to 1 Gz (upright cycle ergometry) and 2 Gz conditions (Space Cycle) at the same work rate. Phase II contrasted the hemodynamic and metabolic responses at 2 and 3 Gz and at the same work rate. Phase III examined the BP and heart rate (HR) responses during passive and active centrifugation. Phase IV examined the relationship between work rate and oxygen uptake.
Results: In Phase I, the HR and BP responses were very similar between the two Gz conditions, with the exception that 2 Gz produced a lower diastolic BP in female subjects. In Phase II, both systolic and diastolic BPs were similar under the two different Gz conditions. However, there was a significant increase in HR at 3 Gz. In Phase III, the slope of the HR/Gz relationship was greater for passive conditions, suggesting that venous return is facilitated by the skeletal muscle pump. In Phase IV, it was found that there was a highly linear relationship between work rate and oxygen uptake.
Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that exercise under low hypergravity conditions on the Space Cycle is well tolerated from a hemodynamic perspective.