Influence of single hindlimb support during simulated weightlessness in the rat

A study was carried out to develop and evaluate a hindlimb suspension model, making it possible to differentiate the effects of non-weight bearing by hindlimbs per se from the systemic influence of simulated weightlessness. A support platform was designed which allowed the animal to maintain one hindlimb in a posture similar to the hindlimbs of the control animals at rest and to maintain one hindlimb in a posture similar to the hindlimbs of the control animals, providing a support for the animal to contract or stretch hindlimb muscles against at any time during suspension. The results of this study indicated that hindlimb support during head-down suspension will maintain muscle-mass/body-mass ratios, glycogen concentration, and blood flow. However, it will not prevent the loss in citrate synthase activity associated with conditions of simulated weightlessness.