The Effect of Short-Term Exposure to Lower Body Positive Pressure on Motor Signal Processing, Reaction Times, and Cardiovascular Parameters in Healthy Volunteers Using Medical Anti-shock Trousers.

Microgravity, as experienced during spaceflight has notable effects on the cognition and cardiovascular systems. However, its effect on motor signal processing is not known. In this study, we planned to study the effect of microgravity simulation with a lower body positive pressure of 50 mmHg on motor signal processing, reaction times, and cardiovascular parameters. Thirty healthy human volunteers participated in this investigation, and continuous ECG and non-invasive blood pressure were measured at baseline, during, and after a lower body positive pressure of 50 mmHg. Bereitschafts potential was recorded at 0 mmHg and 50 mmHg pressure values in a lower body positive pressure (LBPP) suit. Parameters recorded during the pressure change of 0 mmHg to 50 mmHg were RR interval, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, stroke volume, cardiac output, and peripheral vascular resistance. Heart rate variability (HRV) was calculated from RR intervals during resting and pressure of 50 mm of Hg. We also compared simple and choice reaction times for visual and auditory stimuli during 50 mmHg LBPP exposure with baseline recording. We found a significant increase in systolic blood pressure, stroke volume, and cardiac output from baseline at 50 mmHg of LBPP. We found a significant change in amplitude and area of Bereitschaft potential at the C4 site at 50 mmHg of LBPP. We found a significant change in low-frequency power (LF) as compared to the baseline in HRV. Simple reaction time (visual & auditory) and auditory choice reaction time were improved at 50 mmHg of LBPP. Motor signal processing and reaction time were improved during 50 mmHg of lower body positive pressure exposure.

Rapid onset vasodilation during baroreceptor loading and unloading.

The purpose of these experiments was to determine if the increase in vascular conductance following a single muscle contraction (50% of maximal voluntary contraction) (6 male and 6 female subjects) was altered during baroceptor loading and unloading. Rapid onset vasodilation (ROV) was determined by measuring brachial artery blood flow (Doppler ultrasound) and blood pressure (Finapress monitor). Brachial artery vascular conductance was calculated by dividing blood flow by mean arterial pressure. ROV was described by the area under the Δvascular conductance (VC)-time curve during the 30 s following muscle contraction. ROV was determined using chamber pressures of +20, +10, 0, -10, -20, and -40 mmHg (lower body positive and negative pressure, LBPP, and LBNP). We tested the hypothesis that the impact of baroreceptor loading and unloading produces a proportion change in ROV. The level of ROV following each contraction was proportional to the peak force (r2 = 0.393, P = 0.0001). Peak force was therefore used as a covariate in further analysis. ROV during application of -40 mmHg LBNP (0.345 ± 0.229 mL·mmHg-1) was lower than that observed at Control (0.532 ± 0.284 mL·mmHg-1, P = 0.034) and +20 mmHg LBPP (0.658 ± 0.364 mL·mmHg-1, P = 0.0008). ROV was linearly related to chamber pressure from -40 to +20 mmHg chamber pressure (r2 = 0.512, P = 0.022, n = 69) and from -20 to +10 mmHg chamber pressure (r2= 0.973, P < 0.0425, n = 45), Overall, vasoconstrictor tone altered with physiologically relevant baroreceptor loading and unloading resulted in a proportion change in ROV.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Rapid onset vasodilation (ROV) was linearly related to the peak force of each single 1-s muscle contraction. In addition, ROV is reduced by baroreceptor unloading (LBNP: -10, -120, and -40 mmHg) and increased by baroreceptor loading (LBPP: +10 and +20 mmHg). Without accounting for peak force and the level of baroreceptor engagement makes comparison of ROV in subjects of differing muscle size or strength untenable.

The effect of low-load exercise on joint pain, function, and activities of daily living in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis has a lifetime risk of nearly one in two, with obese individuals being most susceptible. While exercise is universally recognized as a critical component for management, unsafe or ineffective exercise frequently leads to exacerbation of joint symptoms. AIM: Evaluate the effect of a 12week lower body positive pressure (LBPP) supported low-load treadmill walking program on knee pain, joint function, and performance of daily activities in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). DESIGN: Prospective, observational, repeated measures investigation. SETTING: Community based, multidisciplinary musculoskeletal medicine clinic. PATIENTS: Thirty-one patients, aged 50-75, with a BMI ≥25kg/m2 and radiographic confirmed mild to moderate knee OA. INTERVENTION: Twelve week LBPP treadmill walking exercise regimen. OUTCOME MEASURES: The Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) were used to quantify joint symptoms and patient function; isokinetic thigh muscle strength was evaluated; and a 10-point VAS was used to quantify acute knee pain while walking. Baseline and follow-up data were compared in order to examine the effect of the 12week exercise intervention. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between baseline and follow-up data: KOOS and COPM scores both improved; thigh muscle strength increased; and acute knee pain during full weight bearing walking diminished significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Participation in a 12week LBPP supported treadmill walking exercise regimen significantly enhanced patient function and quality of life, as well as the ability to perform activities of daily living that patient's self-identified as being important, yet difficult to perform.

Run Economy on a Normal and Lower Body Positive Pressure Treadmill.

Lower body positive pressure (LBPP) treadmill running is used more frequently in clinical and athletic settings. Accurate caloric expenditure is required for proper exercise prescription, especially for obese patients performing LBPP exercise. It is unclear if running on LBPP changes running economy (RE) in proportion to the changes in body weight. The purpose of the study was to measure the oxygen consumption (VO2) and running economy (RE) of treadmill running at normal body weight and on LBPP. Twenty-three active, non-obese participants (25.8±7.2 years; BMI = 25.52±3.29 kg·m-2) completed two bouts of running exercise in a counterbalanced manner: (a) on a normal treadmill (NT) and (b) on a LBPP treadmill at 60% (40% of body weight supported) for 4 min at 2.24 (5 mph), 2.68 (6 mph), and 3.13 m·s-1 (7 mph). Repeated measures ANOVA showed a statistically significant interaction in RE among trials, F(2, 44) = 6.510, p <.0005, partial η2 = 0.228. An examination of pairwise comparisons indicated that RE was significantly greater for LBPP across the three speeds (p < 0.005). As expected, LBPP treadmill running resulted in significantly lower oxygen consumption at all three running speeds. We conclude that RE (ml O2·kg-1·km-1) of LBPP running is significantly poorer than normal treadmill running, and the ~30% change in absolute energy cost is not as great as predicted by the change in body weight (40%).

Body weight-supported training in Becker and limb girdle 2I muscular dystrophy.

INTRODUCTION: We studied the functional effects of combined strength and aerobic anti-gravity training in severely affected patients with Becker and Limb-Girdle muscular dystrophies. METHODS: Eight patients performed 10-week progressive combined strength (squats, calf raises, lunges) and aerobic (walk/run, jogging in place or high knee-lift) training 3 times/week in a lower-body positive pressure environment. Closed-kinetic-chain leg muscle strength, isometric knee strength, rate of force development (RFD), and reaction time were evaluated. RESULTS: Baseline data indicated an intact neural activation pattern but showed compromised muscle contractile properties. Training (compliance 91%) improved functional leg muscle strength. Squat series performance increased 30%, calf raises 45%, and lunges 23%. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-gravity training improved closed-kinetic-chain leg muscle strength despite no changes in isometric knee extension strength and absolute RFD. The improved closed-kinetic-chain performance may relate to neural adaptation involving motor learning and/or improved muscle strength of other muscles than the weak knee extensors. Muscle Nerve 54: 239-243, 2016.

Oxygen consumption of elite distance runners on an anti-gravity treadmill®.

Lower body positive pressure (LBPP), or 'anti-gravity' treadmills® have become increasingly popular among elite distance runners. However, to date, few studies have assessed the effect of body weight support (BWS) on the metabolic cost of running among elite runners. This study evaluated how BWS influenced the relationship between velocity and metabolic cost among 6 elite male distance runners. Participants ran three- 16 minute tests consisting of 4 stages of 4 minutes at 8, 7, 6 and 5 min·mile(-1) pace (3.35, 3.84, 4.47 and 5.36 m·s(-1)), while maintaining an aerobic effort (Respiratory Exchange Ratio ≤1.00). One test was run on a regular treadmill, one on an anti-gravity treadmill with 40% BWS and one with 20% BWS being provided. Expired gas data were collected and regression equations used to determine and compare slopes. Significant decreases in oxygen uptake (V̇O2) were found with each increase in BWS (p < 0.001). At 20% BWS, the average decrease in net VO2 was greater than proportional (34%), while at 40% BWS, the average net reduction in VO2 was close to proportional (38%). Across velocities, the slope of the relationship between VO2 and velocity (ΔV̇O2/Δv) was steeper with less support. The slopes at both the 20% and 40% BWS conditions were similar, especially when compared to the regular treadmill. Variability in VO2 between athletes was much greater on the LBPP treadmill and was greater with increased levels of BWS. In this study we evaluated the effect of body weight support on V̇O2 among elite distance runners. We have shown that oxygen uptake decreased with support, but not in direct proportion to that support. Further, because of the high variability in oxygen uptake between athletes on the LBPP treadmill, prediction equations may not be reliable and other indicators (heart rate, perceived exertion or directly measured oxygen uptake) should be used to guide training intensity when training on the LBPP treadmill. Key pointsWith increasing amounts of body weight-support (BWS), the slope of the relationship between velocity and oxygen consumption (ΔVO2/Δv) decreases significantly. This means the change in oxygen consumption (VO2) is significantly smaller over a given change in velocity at higher amounts of BWS.There is a non-linear decrease in VO2 with increasing BWS. As such, with each increment in the amount of BWS provided, the reduction in VO2 becomes increasingly smaller.This paper provides first of its kind data on the effects of BWS on the cost of running among highly trained, elite runners. The outcomes of this study are in line with previous findings among non-elite runners.

Comparison of cardiovascular and biomechanical parameters of supine lower body negative pressure and upright lower body positive pressure to simulate activity in 1/6 G and 3/8 G.

For future space exploration missions, it is important to determine the best method of simulating on Earth cardiovascular and biomechanical conditions for lunar and Martian gravities. For this purpose, we compared exercise performed within a lower body negative pressure (LBNP) and a lower body positive pressure (LBPP) chamber. Twelve subjects underwent a protocol of resting and walking (0.25 Froude) within supine LBNP and upright LBPP simulation. Each protocol was performed in simulated 1/6 G and 3/8 G. We assessed heart rate (HR), mean arterial blood pressure, oxygen consumption (Vo2), normalized stride length, normalized vertical peak ground reaction force, duty factor, cadence, perceived exertion (Borg), and comfort of the subject. A mixed linear model was employed to determine effects of the simulation on the respective parameters. Furthermore, parameters were compared with predicted values for lunar and Martian gravities to determine the method that showed the best agreement. During walking, all cardiovascular and biomechanical parameters were unaffected by the simulation used for lunar and Martian gravities. During rest, HR and Vo2 were lower in supine LBNP compared with upright LBPP. HR, Vo2, and normalized vertical peak ground reaction force obtained with supine LBNP and upright LBPP showed good agreement with predicted values. Since supine LBNP and upright LBPP are lacking significant differences, we conclude that both simulations are suited to simulate the cardiovascular and biomechanical conditions during activity in lunar and Martian gravities. Operational characteristics and the intended application should be considered when choosing either supine LBNP or upright LBPP to simulate partial gravities on Earth.