Exercise in space prevents astronauts from fainting when they return to Earth



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According to researchers at the Southwestern Medical Center of the University of Texas, astronauts who exercised regularly during their missions and received intravenous saline fluids on their return to Earth did not exhibit orthostatic hypotension, the drop in blood pressure caused by a blood flow from the brain to the foot, away from the brain. .

Orthostatic hypotension usually occurs when a person gets up after sitting or lying down for an extended period – commonly referred to as "head thrust" – but returning to Earth since l '39; Zero space environment of gravity can also trigger the condition, which can cause dizziness and fainting.

"One of the biggest problems since the launch of the manned space program is that the astronauts fainted as they descended to Earth, and the more time they spend in a space-free environment, the longer they go. the risk seemed great, "Dr. Benjamin Levine, lead author of the study and professor of exercise science at UT Southwestern Medical Center, told the media.

"This problem has long tarnished the space program, but this condition is also what ordinary people often feel."

In the study, 12 astronauts (eight men and four women) aged 43 to 56 years followed an endurance and strength training that could last up to two hours a day for six months in the US. # 39; space. Upon their return to Earth, they received an infusion of saline solution.

The blood pressure of the astronauts was also taken at each heartbeat before embarking on space, space and after returning to Earth. The measurements showed very little change in blood pressure during each phase. In addition, the astronauts did not faint or were stunned after returning to Earth.

"What surprised me the most is how well the astronauts behaved after spending six months in space, I thought the fainting episodes would be common." on their return to Earth, but they did not have any.This is convincing evidence of the effectiveness of countermeasures – the exercise regimen and fluid replenishment ", has said Levine.

Despite the promising results, this study has some limitations. In addition to the small size of the sample, researchers did not distinguish between blood pressure readings taken in space when astronauts were awake or asleep.

"Understanding the physiology of spaceflight can be helpful in understanding many of the conditions experienced by non-astronauts, for example, the exercise program developed by our laboratory for the space program is already helping people with mental health problems. a fainting called postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), "said Levine.

"As we prepare to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing, it is exciting to think about how our exploration in and in space can lead to d & # 39; important medical advances here on Earth. "

Research Document

Source: Sputnik News

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