NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Effects of 5 weeks of lower limb suspension on muscle size and strengthLack of weight-bearing, as occurs in space, appears to be associated with reductions in strength and mass of skeletal muscle. Very limited data, however, is at hand describing changes in skeletal muscle size and function following manned space missions. Our current knowledge therefore is mainly based on studies of space flown rats. It is obvious though that this information, only in part can be extrapolated to humans. A few bed rest studies have demonstrated that decreases in strength and muscle size are substantial. At this time, however, the magnitude or time course of such changes either in response to space flight or simulations of microgravity have not been defined. In the last few years we have employed a human model to simulate unloading of lower limb skeletal muscles that occurs in microgravity. This model was essentially adopted from the rat hindlimb suspension technique. The purpose of this study was to assess the magnitude of decreases in muscle strength and size as a result of five weeks of unilateral lower limb suspension.
Document ID
20040089963
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Tesch, P. A.
(Karolinska Institute Stockholm, Sweden)
Ploutz, L. L.
Dudley, G. A.
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
May 1, 1994
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of gravitational physiology : a journal of the International Society for Gravitational Physiology
Volume: 1
Issue: 1
ISSN: 1077-9248
Subject Category
Aerospace Medicine
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-3435
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Non-NASA Center
NASA Program Space Physiology and Countermeasures
NASA Discipline Musculoskeletal
NASA Discipline Number 26-10

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available