Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

No Neuromuscular Side-Effects of Scopolamine in Sensorimotor Control and Force-Generating Capacity Among Parabolic Fliers

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Microgravity Science and Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Scopolamine is used to counteract motion sickness in parabolic flight (PF) experiments. Although the drug’s anticholinergic properties effectively impede vomiting, recent studies document other sensory side-effects in the central nervous system that may considerably influence sensorimotor performance. This study aimed to quantify such effects in order to determine if they are of methodological and operational significance for sensorimotor control. Ten subjects of a PF campaign received a weight-sex-based dose of a subcutaneous scopolamine injection. Sensorimotor performance was recorded before medication, 20min, 2h and 4h after injection in four space-relevant paradigms: balance control in one-leg stance with eyes open (protocol 1) and closed as well as force-generating capacity in countermovement jumps and hops (protocol 2). Postural sway, forces and joint angles were recorded. Neuromuscular control was assessed by electromyography and peripheral nerve stimulation; H-reflexes and M-waves were used to monitor spinal excitability of the Ia afferent reflex circuitry and maximal motor output. (1) H-reflex amplitudes, latencies and functional reflexes remained unchanged after scopolamine injection. (2) M-waves, neuromuscular activation intensities and antagonistic muscle coordination did not change with scopolamine administration. (3) Balance performance and force-generating capacity were not impeded by scopolamine. We found no evidence for changes in sensorimotor control in response to scopolamine injection. Sensory processing of daily relevant reflexes, spinal excitability, maximal motor output and performance parameters were not sensitive to the medication. We conclude that scopolamine administration can be used to counteract motion sickness in PF without methodological and operational concerns or interference regarding sensorimotor skills associated with neuromuscular control.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aagaard, P.: Training-induced changes in neural function. Exerc. Sport Sci. Rev. 31, 61–67 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Artero, E.G., Espana-Romero, V., Castro-Pinero, J., Ortega, F.B., Suni, J., Castillo-Garzon, M.J., Ruiz, J.R.: Reliability of field-based fitness tests in youth. Int. J. Sports Med. 32, 159–169 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borman, P.J., Chatfield, M.J., Damjanov, I., Jackson, P.: Design and analysis of method equivalence studies. Anal. Chem. 81, 9849–9857 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brand, J.J., Colquhoun, W.P., Perry, W.L.: Side-effects of 1-hyoscine and cyclizine studied by objective tests. Aerosp. Med. 39, 999–1002 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Choukèr, A., Kaufmann, I., Kreth, S., Hauer, D., Feuerecker, M., Thieme, D., Vogeser, M., Thiel, M., Schelling, G.: Motion sickness, stress and the endocannabinoid system. PloS One 5, e10752 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dichgans, J., Mauritz, K.H., Allum, J.H., Brandt, T.: Postural sway in normals and atactic patients: analysis of the stabilising and destabilizing effects of vision. Agressologie: revue internationale de physio-biologie et de pharmacologie appliquees aux effets de l’agression 17, 15–24 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Diener, H.C., Ackermann, H., Dichgans, J., Guschlbauer, B.: Medium- and long-latency responses to displacements of the ankle joint in patients with spinal and central lesions. Electroencephalogr. Clin. Neurophysiol. 60, 407–416 (1985)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dietz, V., Horstmann, G.A., Trippel, M., Gollhofer, A.: Human postural reflexes and gravity–an under water simulation. Neurosci. Lett. 106, 350–355 (1989)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dietz, V., Mauritz, K.H., Dichgans, J.: Body oscillations in balancing due to segmental stretch reflex activity. Exp. Brain Res. 40, 89–95 (1980)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fagnani, F., Giombini, A., Di Cesare, A., Pigozzi, F., Di Salvo, V.: The effects of a whole-body vibration program on muscle performance and flexibility in female athletes. Am. J. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 85, 956–962 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fleiss, J.L.: The Design and Analysis of Clinical Experiments. Wiley, New York (1986)

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Freund, H.J., Budingen, H.J., Dietz, V.: Activity of single motor units from human forearm muscles during voluntary isometric contractions. J. Neurophysiol. 38, 933–946 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Granit, R.: The functional role of the muscle spindles–facts and hypotheses. Brain J. Neurol. 98, 531–556 (1975)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hayashi, R., Tokuda, T., Tako, K., Yanagisawa, N.: Impaired modulation of tonic muscle activities and H-reflexes in the soleus muscle during standing in patients with Parkinson’s disease. J. Neurol. Sci. 153, 61–67 (1997)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hermens, H.J., Freriks, B., Disselhorst-Klug, C., Rau, G.: Development of recommendations for SEMG sensors and sensor placement procedures. J. Electromyogr. Kinesiol. 10, 361–374 (2000)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hogrel, J.-Y.: Use of surface EMG for studying motor unit recruitment during isometric linear force ramp. J. Electromyogr. Kinesiol. 13, 417–423 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Janowsky, D.S., Risch, S.C., Ziegler, M., Kennedy, B., Huey, L.: A cholinomimetic model of motion sickness and space adaptation syndrome. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 55, 692–696 (1984)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kneis, S., Wehrle, A., Freyler, K., Lehmann, K., Rudolphi, B., Hildenbrand, B., Bartsch, H.H., Bertz, H., Gollhofer, A., Ritzmann, R.: Balance impairments and neuromuscular changes in breast cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Clin. Neurophysiol. (2015). doi:10.1016/j.clinph.2015.07.022

  • Komi, P.V., Gollhofer, A.: Stretch reflexes can have an important role in force enhancement during SSC exercise. J. Appl. Biomech. 13, 451–460 (1997)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kramer, A., Gollhofer, A., Ritzmann, R.: Acute exposure to microgravity does not influence the H-reflex with or without whole body vibration and does not cause vibration-specific changes in muscular activity. J. Electromyogr. Kinesiol. 23, 872–878 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kramer, A., Ritzmann, R., Gollhofer, A., Gehring, D., Gruber, M.: A new sledge jump system that allows almost natural reactive jumps. J. Biomech. 43, 2672–2677 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kramer, A., Ritzmann, R., Gruber, M., Gollhofer, A.: Leg stiffness can be maintained during reactive hopping despite modified acceleration conditions. J. Biomech. 45, 1816–1822 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laitinen, L.A., Tokola, O., Gothoni, G., Vapaatalo, H.: Scopolamine alone or combined with ephedrine in seasickness: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 52, 6–10 (1981)

    Google Scholar 

  • Layne, C.S., Mulavara, A.P., McDonald, P.V., Pruett, C.J., Kozlovskaya, I.B., Bloomberg, J.J.: Effect of long-duration spaceflight on postural control during self-generated perturbations. J. Appl. Physiol. 90, 997–1006 (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, R.G., Tatton, W.G.: Longloop reflexes in man: clinical applications. In: Desmedt, J. (ed.) Cerebral Motor Control in Man, pp 320–333. Karger, Basel (1978)

  • Lestienne, F., Berthoz, A., Mascot, J.C., Koitcheva, V.: Effets posturaux induits par une scène visuelle en mouvement linéaire. Agressologie: revue internationale de physio-biologie et de pharmacologie appliquées aux effets de l’agression 17, 37–46 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Litvan, I., Blesa, R., Clark, K., Nichelli, P., Atack, J.R., Mouradian, M.M., Grafman, J., Chase, T.N.: Pharmacological evaluation of the cholinergic system in progressive supranuclear palsy. Ann. Neurol. 36, 55–61 (1994)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, Y., Peng, C.-H., Wei, S.-H., Chi, J.-C., Tsai, F.-R., Chen, J.-Y.: Active leg stiffness and energy stored in the muscles during maximal counter movement jump in the aged. J. Electromyogr. Kinesiol. 16, 342–351 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Makowski, A.L., Lindgren, K., Locke, J.P.: Visual side effects of scopolamine/ dextroamphetamine among parabolic fliers. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 82, 683–688 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marsden, C.D., Merton, P.A., Morton, H.B., Adam, J., Hallett, M.: Automatic and voluntary responses to muscle stretch in man. In: Desmedt, J. (ed.) Cerebral Motor Control in Man, pp 167–177. Karger, Basel (1978)

  • Matheson, L.A., Duffy, S., Maroof, A., Gibbons, R., Duffy, C., Roth, J.: Intra- and inter-rater reliability of jumping mechanography muscle function assessments. J. Musculoskelet. Neuronal Interact. 13, 480–486 (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  • Meylan, C.M.P., Cronin, J.B., Oliver, J.L., Hughes, M.G., McMaster, D.T.: The reliability of jump kinematics and kinetics in children of different maturity status. J. Strength Cond. Res. 26, 1015–1026 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Milner-Brown, H.S., Stein, R.B., Yemm, R.: Changes in firing rate of human motor units during linearly changing voluntary contractions. J. Physiol. 230, 371–390 (1973a)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Milner-Brown, H.S., Stein, R.B., Yemm, R.: The orderly recruitment of human motor units during voluntary isometric contractions. J. Physiol. 230, 359–370 (1973b)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moritani, T., Muro, M.: Motor unit activity and surface electromyogram power spectrum during increasing force of contraction. Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. Occup. Physiol. 56, 260–265 (1987)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mrachacz-Kersting, N., Grey, M.J., Sinkjaer, T.: Evidence for a supraspinal contribution to the human quadriceps long-latency stretch reflex. Exp. Brain Res. 168, 529–540 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mulavara, A.P., Feiveson, A.H., Fiedler, J., Cohen, H., Peters, B.T., Miller, C., Brady, R., Bloomberg, J.J.: Locomotor function after long-duration space flight: effects and motor learning during recovery. Exp. Brain Res. 202, 649–659 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nagai, K., Yamada, M., Tanaka, B., Uemura, K., Mori, S., Aoyama, T., Ichihashi, N., Tsuboyama, T.: Effects of balance training on muscle coactivation during postural control in older adults: a randomized controlled trial. J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. 67, 882–889 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nashner, L.M.: Adapting reflexes controlling the human posture. Exp. Brain Res. 26, 59–72 (1976)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Norfleet, W.T., Degioanni, J.J., Calkins, D.S., Reschke, M.F., Bungo, M.W., Kutyna, F.A., Homick, J.L.: Treatment of motion sickness in parabolic flight with buccal scopolamine. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 63, 46–51 (1992)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nuotto, E.: Psychomotor, physiological and cognitive effects of scopolamine and ephedrine in healthy man. Eur. J. Clin. Pharmacol. 24, 603–609 (1983)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palmieri, R.M., Ingersoll, C.D., Hoffman, M.A.: The hoffmann reflex: methodologic considerations and applications for use in sports medicine and athletic training research. J. Athl. Train. 39, 268–277 (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pingree, B.J., Pethybridge, R.J.: A comparison of the efficacy of cinnarizine with scopolamine in the treatment of seasickness. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 65, 597–605 (1994)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pletser, V., Winter, J., Duclos, F., Bret-Dibat, T., Friedrich, U., Clervoy, J.-F., Gharib, T., Gai, F., Minster, O., Sundblad, P.: The first joint european Partial-G parabolic flight campaign at moon and mars gravity levels for science and exploration. Microgravity Sci. Technol. 24, 383–395 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Price, N.M., Schmitt, L.G., McGuire, J., Shaw, J.E., Trobough, G.: Transdermal scopolamine in the prevention of motion sickness at sea. Clin. Pharmacol. Ther. 29, 414–419 (1981)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramos Reis, P.M., Eckhardt, H., Denise, P., Bodem, F., Lochmann, M.: Localization of scopolamine induced electrocortical brain activity changes in healthy humans at rest. J. Clin. Pharmacol. 53, 619–625 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Riley, Z.A., Maerz, A.H., Litsey, J.C., Enoka, R.M.: Motor unit recruitment in human biceps brachii during sustained voluntary contractions. J. Physiol. 586, 2183–2193 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ritzmann, R., Freyler, K., Weltin, E., Krause, A., Gollhofer, A.: Load dependency of postural control–kinematic and neuromuscular changes in response to over and under load conditions. PloS one 10, e0128400 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roelants, M., Verschueren, S.M.P., Delecluse, C., Levin, O., Stijnen, V.: Whole-body-vibration-induced increase in leg muscle activity during different squat exercises. J. Strength Cond. Res. 20, 124–129 (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sinkjaer, T., Andersen, J.B., Nielsen, J.F., Hansen, H.J.: Soleus long-latency stretch reflexes during walking in healthy and spastic humans. Clinical Neurophysiology: Official Journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology 110, 951–959 (1999)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spinks, A.B., Wasiak, J., Villanueva, E.V., Bernath, V.: Scopolamine (hyoscine) for preventing and treating motion sickness. Cochrane Database Syst. Rev. (2007). doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002851.pub3

  • Taffe, M.A., Weed, M.R., Gold, L.H.: Scopolamine alters rhesus monkey performance on a novel neuropsychological test battery. Brain research. Cogn. Brain Res. 8, 203–212 (1999)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taube, W., Gruber, M., Gollhofer, A.: Spinal and supraspinal adaptations associated with balance training and their functional relevance. Acta Physiol. 193, 101–116 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taube, W., Leukel, C., Gollhofer, A.: How neurons make us jump: the neural control of stretch-shortening cycle movements. Exerc. Sport Sci. Rev. 40, 106–115 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tokola, O., Laitinen, L.A., Aho, J., Gothoni, G., Vapaatalo, H.: Drug treatment of motion sickness: scopolamine alone and combined with ephedrine in real and simulated situations. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 55, 636–641 (1984)

    Google Scholar 

  • Uijtdehaage, S.H., Stern, R.M., Koch, K.L.: Effects of scopolamine on autonomic profiles underlying motion sickness susceptibility. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 64, 1–8 (1993)

    Google Scholar 

  • van Marion, W.F., Bongaerts, M.C., Christiaanse, J.C., Hofkamp, H.G., van Ouwerkerk, W.: Influence of transdermal scopolamine on motion sickness during 7 days’ exposure to heavy seas. Clin. Pharmacol. Ther. 38, 301–305 (1985)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wesnes, K., Warburton, D.M.: Effects of scopolamine and nicotine on human rapid information processing performance. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 82, 147–150 (1984)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wiley, M.E., Damiano, D.L.: Lower-extremity strength profiles in spastic cerebral palsy. Dev. Med. Child Neurol. 40, 100–107 (1998)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wollseiffen, P., Vogt, T., Abeln, V., Strüder, H.K., Askew, C.D., Schneider, S.: Neuro-cognitive performance is enhanced during short periods of microgravity. Physiol. Behav. 155, 9–16 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wood, C.D., Graybiel, A.: Theory of antimotion-sickness drug mechanisms. Aerosp. Med. 43, 249–252 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zuur, A.T., Lundbye-Jensen, J., Leukel, C., Taube, W., Grey, M.J., Gollhofer, A., Nielsen, J.B., Gruber, M.: Contribution of afferent feedback and descending drive to human hopping. J. Physiol. 588, 799–807 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) FKZ 50WB1120. The authors want to thank the DLR Spaceflight Department, particularly Dr Ulrike Friedrich and Dr Hans-Ulrich Hoffmann for their assistance with parabolic flight experiment preparation.

No neuromuscular side-effects of scopolamine in sensorimotor control and force-generating capacity among parabolic fliers.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Sport and Sport Science, University of Freiburg, Schwarzwaldstraße 175, 79117, Freiburg i.Br., Germany

    Ramona Ritzmann, Kathrin Freyler, Anne Krause & Albert Gollhofer

Authors
  1. Ramona Ritzmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kathrin Freyler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Anne Krause
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Albert Gollhofer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Anne Krause.

Ethics declarations

Funding

This study was funded by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) FKZ 50WB1120. The authors want to thank the DLR Spaceflight Department, particularly Dr Ulrike Friedrich and Dr Hans-Ulrich Hoffmann for their assistance with parabolic flight experiment preparation.

Conflict of interests

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ritzmann, R., Freyler, K., Krause, A. et al. No Neuromuscular Side-Effects of Scopolamine in Sensorimotor Control and Force-Generating Capacity Among Parabolic Fliers. Microgravity Sci. Technol. 28, 477–490 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12217-016-9504-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12217-016-9504-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation