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The Cardio-Vascular System in Space

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Fundamentals of Space Medicine

Part of the book series: Space Technology Library ((SPTL,volume 23))

Abstract

One of the major concerns for both short- and long-duration spaceflight is the phenomenon of cardio-vascular deconditioning. Exercise deconditioning during spaceflight may significantly affect a crewmember’s ability to perform strenuous or prolonged tasks during and after a spaceflight mission, respond to an emergency situation, or assist a crewmate who might be incapacitated. This chapter introduces the principles of cardio-vascular fluid and electrolyte control to shed light on the symptoms typically reported by astronauts during and after spaceflight. Data from flight experiments are discussed, as well as the value of ground-based models such as bed rest studies. The value of exercise, inflatable suits, saline loading, and artificial gravity is also discussed (Figure 4.1)

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Earth’s gravity may determine the location and size of internal organs such as the heart. For example, Lillywhite et al. [1997] noticed that the heart of the tree snake, that is crawling up and down trees and therefore must cope with gravity, was closer to the brain than the land or sea snakes, who spend most of their life in a horizontal position or are neutrally buoyant. The tree snake was the most tolerant to centrifugation, suggesting that it would be more gravity tolerant than the other snakes as it did not have to carry blood over as great a distance from the heart to the brain [Morey-Holton, 1999].

  2. 2.

    The authors of a Russian report [Popov et al., 2004] referred to the initial phase of flight as a “dead period” during which the decrease in physical condition is so severe that none of the countermeasure regimes are sufficiently effective.

  3. 3.

    During the ISS Expedition-6 crew return in May 2003, the Soyuz headed down at a steeper angle, thus decelerating faster than planned. As a result, the crew was subjected to 8–10 g for several minutes.

  4. 4.

    It is interesting to note that research literature overwhelmingly shows the greatest benefits in markers of cardio-respiratory fitness are realized with higher intensity (85–100%), lower duration exercise protocols such as intermittent or interval programs combining short sprints with short to medium rest periods for a wide variety of populations ranging from heart disease patients to endurance athletes [Midgley and McNaughton, 2006].

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  1. International Space University, Strasbourg, France

    Gilles Clément

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  1. Gilles Clément
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Correspondence to Gilles Clément .

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Clément, G. (2011). The Cardio-Vascular System in Space. In: Fundamentals of Space Medicine. Space Technology Library, vol 23. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-9905-4_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-9905-4_4

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