Cardiovascular response to lower body negative pressure (LBNP) following endurance training

Eleven sedentary male volunteers were assigned to either an exercise (E) group (n = 6; endurance exercise for 12 weeks) or a control (C) group (n = 5; no exercise). After training, E significantly increased (p less than 0.01) their VO2max (pretraining: 37.0 +/- 2.3; posttraining: 44.6 +/- 2.5), whereas C showed no significant change. Heart rate (HR), arterial blood pressure (BP) and forearm blood flow (FBF) were measured both pre- and posttraining at rest and during 2 levels of LBNP: -10 mm Hg and -40 mm Hg. Both C and E had similar decreases in systolic BP and similar increases in HR and diastolic BP during LBNP when comparing the pre- and posttraining periods. In both groups, FBF significantly decreased during -40 mm Hg of LBNP in the pretraining period. However, after training, E had a significantly attenuated (p less than 0.05) decrease in FBF at -40 mm Hg (pretraining: -45.0 +/- 3.7%; posttraining: -29.8 +/- 3.1%). In C, there was no difference in the response of FBF to -40 mm Hg of LBNP comparing pretraining and posttraining. These findings indicate that endurance exercise training decreases the forearm vasoconstrictor response to high levels of LBNP.     

Potential benefits of maximal exercise just prior to return from weightlessness

The purpose of this study was to determine whether performance of a single maximal bout of exercise during weightlessness within hours of return to earth would enhance recovery of aerobic fitness and physical work capacities under a 1G environment. Ten healthy men (36-51 yr) underwent maximal supine exercise followed by upright maximal exercise before and after a 10-d bedrest period in the 6 degrees headdown position. A graded maximal supine cycle ergometer test was performed before and at the end of bedrest to simulate exercise during weightlessness. Following 3 h of resumption of the upright posture from the supine exercise test, a second maximal exercise test was performed on a treadmill to measure work capacity under conditions of 1G. Compared to before bedrest, peak VO2 decreased (p less than 0.05) by 8.7% and peak HR increased (p less than 0.05) by 5.6% in the supine cycle test at the end of bedrest. However, there were no significant changes in peak VO2 and peak HR in the upright treadmill test following bedrest. These data, based on a simulation, suggest that one bout of maximal leg exercise prior to return from 10 d of weightlessness may be adequate to restore preflight aerobic fitness and physical work capacity.     

21天头低位(-6°)卧床前后下体负压和头高位倾斜暴露时的心血管反应

目的探讨２１天头低位（ＨＤＴ）卧床对人体立位应激下心血管反应的影响,以及比较下体负压（ＬＢＮＰ）和头高位倾斜（ＨＵＴ）两种立位应激下心血管反应的差异。方法６名受试者在２１天ＨＤＴ前、后分别进行ＬＢＮＰ（－４．００ｋＰａ／３ｍｉｎ、－６．６７ｋＰａ／３ｍｉｎ及－９．３３ｋＰａ／３ｍｉｎ）和ＨＵＴ试验（３０°／３ｍｉｎ、４５°／３ｍｉｎ、６０°／３ｍｉｎ及７５°／３ｍｉｎ）,以比较两种检测方法的血压（ＢＰ）和心率（ＨＲ）的变化情况。结果与ＬＢＮＰ（或ＨＵＴ）前相比：①ＬＢＮＰ（ＨＵＴ）时ＨＲ显著增加（Ｐ＜０．０１）,ＳＢＰ显著降低（Ｐ＜０．０５）;卧床后相应的变化量增加。②ＬＢＮＰ时ＤＢＰ降低（卧床后达显著,Ｐ＜０．０５）;而ＨＵＴ时ＤＢＰ增加（卧床后达显著,Ｐ＜０．０５）。③ＬＢＮＰ时ＭＡＰ均显著降低（Ｐ＜０．０５）;而ＨＵＴ时在卧床前无变化（Ｐ＞０．０５）,在卧床后显著增加（Ｐ＜０．０５）。结论ＬＢＮＰ和ＨＵＴ引起的ＣＶＳ反应并不相同。笔者认为,ＨＵＴ更能促进心血管系统对立位应激的调节作用。     

Lower-body negative-pressure exercise and bed-rest-mediated orthostatic intolerance

PURPOSE: Supine, moderate exercise is ineffective in maintaining orthostatic tolerance after bed rest (BR). Our purpose was to test the hypothesis that adding an orthostatic stress during exercise would maintain orthostatic function after BR. METHODS: Seven healthy men completed duplicate 15-d 6 degrees head-down tilt BR using a crossover design. During one BR, subjects did not exercise (CON). During another BR, subjects exercised for 40 min.d(-1) on a supine treadmill against 50-60 mm Hg LBNP (EX). Exercise training consisted of an interval exercise protocol of 2- to 3-min intervals alternating between 41 and 65% (.)VO(2max). Before and after BR, an LBNP tolerance test was performed in which the LBNP chamber was decompressed in 10-mm Hg stages every 3 min until presyncope. RESULTS: LBNP tolerance, as assessed by the cumulative stress index (CSI) decreased after BR in both the CON (830 +/- 144, pre-BR vs 524 +/- 56 mm Hg.min, post-BR) and the EX (949 +/- 118 pre-BR vs 560 +/- 44 mm Hg.min, post-BR) conditions. However, subtolerance (0 to -50 mm Hg LBNP) heart rates were lower and systolic blood pressures were better maintained after BR in the EX condition compared with CON. CONCLUSION: Moderate exercise performed against LBNP simulating an upright 1-g environment failed to protect orthostatic tolerance after 15 d of BR.     

Effect of lower body negative pressure against orthostatic intolerance induced by 21 days head-down tilt bed rest

BACKGROUND: Exposure to actual or simulated weightlessness is known to induce orthostatic intolerance in humans. Many different methods have been suggested to counteract orthostatic hypotension. The repetitive or prolonged application of lower body negative pressure (LBNP) has shown beneficial effects to counter orthostatic intolerance, but devoting so much time to countermeasures is not compatible with space mission objectives or costs. The purpose of the present study was to assess the effects of brief LBNP sessions against orthostatic intolerance during a 21-d head-down tilt (HDT) bed rest. METHODS: There were 12 healthy male volunteers who were exposed to -6 degrees HDT bed rest for 21 d. Six subjects received -30 mm Hg LBNP sessions for 1 h x d(-1) from day 15 to day 21 of the HDT, and six others served as control. Orthostatic tolerance was assessed by means of standard tilt test. RESULTS: Before HDT, all the subjects in the two groups completed the tilt tests. After 21 d of HDT, five subjects of the control group and one subject of the LBNP group could not complete the tilt test due to presyncopal or syncopal symptoms. The mean upright time in the control group 13.0 +/- 4.0 min) was significantly shorter (p < 0.05) than that in the LBNP group (19.0 +/- 2.2 min). Body weight decreased significantly in the control group during HDT, while increasing significantly on day 21 of HDT in the LBNP group. Urine volume increased on days 15-21 of HDT in the control group, but remained unchanged throughout HDT in the LBNP group. A significant decrease in cardiac output and cardiac index, and a significant increase in total peripheral resistance, pre-ejection period, plasma renin activity, aldosterone, and prostaglandin 12 were observed during HDT in both groups. There were no significant differences in these parameters between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Brief daily LBNP sessions were effective in preventing orthostatic intolerance induced by 21 d HDT bed rest. However, it did not improve cardiac pump and systolic functions and did not preserve volume regulating hormones.     

Changes in volume, muscle compartment, and compliance of the lower extremities in man following 30 days of exposure to simulated microgravity

The purpose of these experiments was to test the hypothesis that reduced size of the leg muscle compartment following exposure to long-duration microgravity would be associated with increased leg compliance. Eight men, 31-45 years of age, were measured for vascular compliance of the calf and serial circumferences of the thigh and calf before, during and after 30 d of continuous 6 degrees head-down bedrest. Cross-sectional areas (CSA) of muscle, fat, and bone compartments in the thigh and calf were determined pre- and post-bedrest by computed tomography. Calculated leg volumes decreased (p less than 0.05) in the calf by 9.9% and in the thigh by 4.5% from pre- to post-bedrest. Muscle compartment CSA also decreased (p less than 0.05) in both calf (-4.8%) and thigh (-8.1%); leg compliance (vol%/mm Hg x 100) increased (p less than 0.05) from 3.9 +/- 0.7 to 4.9 +/- 0.5. Calf compliance measured before and after bedrest was inversely related to calf muscle compartment CSA (r = -0.61, p less than 0.05) and the percent decrease in calf muscle compartment CSA from pre- to post-bedrest was inversely correlated with an increase in calf compliance (r = -0.72, p less than 0.05). Increased leg compliance following long-duration spaceflight is associated with reduced size of the leg muscle compartment.     

Aerobic fitness in women and responses to lower body negative pressure

High aerobic fitness may be associated with impaired responsiveness to orthostatic challenge. This could be detrimental to astronauts returning from spaceflight. Thus, we examined the cardiovascular responses of a group of 45 healthy women to graded lower body negative pressure (LBNP) through 5 min at -50 mm Hg or until they become presyncopal. The ages (range = 23-43 years, mean = 30.4) and peak aerobic capacities (range = 23.0-55.3 ml.kg-1.min-1, mean = 37.8) of these subjects paralleled those of the women astronauts. We monitored heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac output, Heather index of contractility, arterial pressure, peripheral resistance, change in calf circumference, and thoracic impedance (ZO)--a measure of fluid in the chest. The women in this study exhibited the same response pattern to LBNP as previously reported for male subjects. VO2peak of the six subjects who became presyncopal was not different from VO2peak of the tolerant subjects. At rest, only systolic and mean arterial pressures were significantly correlated with VO2peak. Percent changes in calf circumference (i.e. fluid accumulation in the legs) at -30 and -40 mm Hg were the only responses to LBNP significantly related to VO2peak. The greater pooling of blood in the legs during LBNP by women with higher aerobic fitness, and lower percent body fat may be related to more muscle tissue and vasculature in the legs of the more fit subjects. These data indicated that orthostatic tolerance is not related to aerobic capacity in women, and orthostatic tolerance need not be a concern to aerobically fit women astronauts.     

Baroreflex-mediated heart rate and vascular resistance responses 24 h after maximal exercise

INTRODUCTION: Plasma volume, heart rate (HR) variability, and stimulus-response relationships for baroreflex control of forearm vascular resistance (FVR) and HR were studied in eight healthy men after and without performing a bout of maximal exercise to test the hypotheses that acute expansion of plasma volume is associated with 1) reduction in baroreflex-mediated HR response, and 2) altered operational range for central venous pressure (CVP). METHODS: The relationship between stimulus (DeltaCVP) and vasoconstrictive reflex response (DeltaFVR) during unloading of cardiopulmonary baroreceptors was assessed with lower-body negative pressure (LBNP, 0, -5, -10, -15, -20 mm Hg). The relationship between stimulus (Deltamean arterial pressure (MAP)) and cardiac reflex response (DeltaHR) during loading of arterial baroreceptors was assessed with steady-state infusion of phenylephrine (PE) designed to increase MAP by 15 mm Hg alone and during application of LBNP (PE+LBNP) and neck pressure (PE+LBNP+NP). Measurements of vascular volume and autonomic baroreflex responses were conducted on two different test days, each separated by at least 1 wk. On one day, baroreflex response was tested 24 h after graded cycle exercise to volitional exhaustion. On another day, measurement of baroreflex response was repeated with no exercise (control). The order of exercise and control treatments was counterbalanced. RESULTS: Baseline CVP was elevated (P = 0.04) from a control value of 10.5 +/- 0.4 to 12.3 +/- 0.4 mm Hg 24 h after exercise. Average DeltaFVR/DeltaCVP during LBNP was not different (P = 0.942) between the exercise (-1.35 +/- 0.32 pru x mm Hg-1) and control (-1.32 +/- 0.36 pru x mm Hg-1) conditions. However, maximal exercise caused a shift along the reflex response relationship to a higher CVP and lower FVR. HR baroreflex response (DeltaHR/DeltaMAP) to PE+LBNP+NP was lower (P = 0.015) after maximal exercise (-0.43 +/- 0.15 beats x min-1 x mm Hg-1) compared with the control condition (-0.83 +/- 0.14 beats x min-1 x mm Hg-1). CONCLUSION: Expansion of vascular volume after acute exercise is associated with altered operational range for CVP and reduced HR response to arterial baroreceptor stimulation.     

Hypovolemic intolerance to lower body negative pressure in female runners.

PURPOSE: An attenuated baroreflex response and orthostatic intolerance have been reported in endurance-trained male athletes; however, it is still unknown whether this occurs also in females. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether endurance exercise-trained women had a predisposition to orthostatic compromise, and if so, what causative factor(s) may induce orthostatic intolerance. METHODS: We studied cardiovascular and hormonal responses to graded lower body negative pressure (LBNP) (0 to -60 mm Hg) in 26 middle-distance female runners (18.6 +/- 0.1 yr) as the exercise-trained (ET) subjects and 23 age-matched untrained (UT) control subjects. On the basis of the occurrence of syncope episodes during LBNP, ET and UT subjects were further allocated to two groups; ET with presyncope (ET+syncope) and without presyncope (ET-syncope) and UT with presyncope (UT+syncope) and without presyncope (UT-syncope). RESULTS: Occurrence of presyncope episodes during LBNP was higher in ET (65.4%, P < 0.05) than that for UT (34.8%). Leg compliance was higher (P < 0.05) in ET than in UT. LBNP reduced stroke volume (SV) more (P < 0.05), increased heart rate (HR) higher (P < 0.05), and increased forearm vascular resistance (FVR) more in ET+syncope as compared with the other groups. Response of vasoactive hormones to LBNP was higher in ET+syncope (P < 0.05) than that of the other groups except for norepinephrine (NE); high in both ET+syncope and UT+syncope. The relationship between SV and NE, an index of sympathetic neuronal response, had no training-related changes during LBNP. CONCLUSION: We conclude that exercise-trained females have a high incidence of orthostatic intolerance during LBNP, with a greater reduction of SV independent of changes in baroreflex and neurohumoral function. A lower incidence of LBNP intolerance in UT may be accounted for by a lower reduction of SV during LBNP. An increase in leg compliance in the exercise-trained females may play an important role in inducing pronounced reduction of SV and hence the intolerance to LBNP.     

Peripheral vascular reflexes elicited during lower body negative pressure

To study the interaction between thermal reflexes and baroreflexes on human forearm vasomotor and venomotor control, and to test the hypothesis that peripheral veins are responsive to baroreceptor unloading during gravitational stress, we imposed lower body negative pressure (LBNP) between 10 and 50 mm Hg (Torr) at ambient temperatures (Ta) of 28 and 37 degrees C. We measured arterial and central venous pressures (CVP), heart rate, forearm venous volume, forearm venous pressure, and forearm blood flow in 12 volunteers. Decreases in CVP were relatively large at 10 mm Hg LBNP (p less than 0.01) at both Ta, and less thereafter. Arterial systolic and pulse pressures were not significantly reduced until LBNP exceeded 30 mm Hg (p less than 0.05). With LBNP up to 20 mm Hg, moderate decreases in forearm venous compliance and increases in forearm vascular resistance occurred. Between 30 and 50 mm Hg LBNP, the changes in both compliance and resistance per unit change in CVP were more than tripled. We concluded that unloading of cardiopulmonary mechanoreceptors stimulates increases in both forearm vasomotor and venomotor tone and that addition of arterial baroreceptor unloading adds to these reflex responses.     

血容量减少对立位应激反应影响的仿真研究

目的 研究不同程度的血容量减少对心血管系统立位应激反应的影响,探讨血容量降低在航天失重后心血管失调和立位耐力降低机理中的意义。方法 在仿真下体负压（LBNP）暴露时心血管系统反应模型的血液重新分配子模型中引入血容量减少因素,仿真血容量减少0－25％后LBNP时心率（HR）和血压BP变化,结果 血容量减少低于总血量的5％条件下,心血管系统可以通过压力反射调节作用维持LBNP时政党的HR和BP;血容量减少超过约15％,在安静仰卧位时,HR和BP正常,但LBNP时BP迅速降低,系统可失去稳定性。结论 血容量减少将导致心血管系统对立位应激反应的改变。     

Cardiovascular responses to head-up tilt after an endurance exercise program

The cardiovascular responses to 10 min of orthostasis were assessed before and after an aerobic exercise program. Five men and five women (18-25 years old) exercised for 7 weeks, four times per week, for 50 min per session at 70% of maximal heart rate (HR). Before and after the exercise program, maximal aerobic power (VO2max) was determined, and HR, systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP), and pulse (PP) blood pressures were measured each minute during 5 min of supine rest, 10 min of foot-supported 70 degree head-up tilt (HUT), and 5 min of supine rest. Orthostatic tolerance was not determined. Calf compliance was measured in five of the subjects before and after the program as the change in leg volume at occluding pressures of 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 mm Hg. Following the program, VO2max increased by 8.7% (p = 0.012), while decreases were noted in resting HR (9.4%, p = 0.041), SBP (5.0%, p less than 0.0005), and DBP (14.2%, p less than 0.0005). Despite a greater HR increase during HUT (7.1 beat.min-1, p = 0.034), SBP decreased by 3.4 mm Hg during HUT after the exercise program (p = 0.008). No differences were noted in the changes in DBP, MAP, or PP upon tilting (p greater than 0.05). After the program, the amount of fluid pooled in the calf at high occluding pressures (80 and 100 mm Hg) increased by 0.96 +/- 0.24 and 1.10 +/- 0.33 ml.100 ml tissue-1 (X +/- S.E.M., p = 0.017 and p = 0.028, respectively). We suggest that control of blood pressure during 10 min of orthostasis may be altered by endurance exercise training.     

Comparison of 70 degrees tilt, LBNP, and passive standing as measrues of orthostatic tolerance.

The present study was performed to assess the reliability of lower body negative pressure (LBNP) as a test of orthostatic tolerance. The need for this assessment arose from the prior observation in this laboratory that some subjects show wide day-to-day variation in heart rate responses to LBNP. The extent of these variations was so great as to a raise a serious question as to the value of LBNP as a measure of study-induced alterations (e.g. those produced by bedrest or weightlessness) in orthostatic tolerance. Five healthy volunteers were subjected to a series of tests, consisting of 70 degrees tilt, LBNP, and passive standing. on three occasions preceding and three occasions following a 2 week period of bedrest. Study results show that it is possible to subdivide the volunteers into subgroups which show either great or little day-to-day variability in any of the three tests. All three tests reaveled bedrest-induced alterations in orthostatic tolerande quite adequately. Of the three tests studied, LBNP most frequently resulted in the largest test-induced heart rate alterations, followed by quiet standing and, finally 70 degrees tilt     

Cerebrovascular responses during lower body negative pressure-induced presyncope

BACKGROUND: Reduced orthostatic tolerance is commonly observed after spaceflight, occasionally causing presyncopal symptoms which may be due to low cerebral blood flow (CBF). It has been suggested that CBF decreases in early stages of exposure to orthostatic stress. The purpose of this study was to investigate cerebrovascular responses during presyncope induced by lower body negative pressure (LBNP). HYPOTHESIS: Although CBF decreases during LBNP exposure, blood pressure (BP) or heart rate (HR) contributes more to induce presyncopal conditions. METHODS: Eight healthy male volunteers were exposed to LBNP in steps of 10 mm Hg every 3 min until presyncopal symptoms were detected. Electrocardiogram (ECG) was monitored continuously and arterial BP was measured by arterial tonometry. CBF velocity at the middle cerebral artery was measured by transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD). Cerebral tissue oxygenation was detected using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). We focused our investigation on the data obtained during the final 2 min before the presyncopal endpoint. RESULTS: BP gradually decreased from 2 min to 10 s before the endpoint, and fell more rapidly during the final 10 s. HR did not change significantly during presyncope. CBF velocity did not change significantly, while cerebral tissue oxygenation decreased prior to the presyncopal endpoint in concert with BP. Our results suggest that CBF is maintained in the middle cerebral artery during presyncope, while BP decreases rapidly. CONCLUSIONS: Cerebrovascular hemodynamics are relatively well maintained while arterial hypotension occurs just prior to syncope.     

Cardiovascular responses to positive pressure breathing using the tactical life support system.

The improved protection afforded by the Tactical Life Support System (TLSS) vs. other partial pressure ensembles has not been reported with respect to the cardiovascular effects of positive pressure breathing (PPB). Nine seated subjects wearing TLSS were exposed to 30, 50, and 70 mm Hg PPB (breathing air) with four times this pressure in the G-suit. Experiments were conducted at ground-level in order, separated by 4 min rest and preceded by a 1-min control period. Stroke volume and cardiac output (SV, CO) and indexes (SI, CI) were determined by impedance cardiography. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was directly related to PPB level, increasing by 23%, 32%, and 47% for each PPB level, respectively (p less than 0.01). HR, SV, and CO were unaffected after 4 min of 30, 50, and 70 mm Hg PPB. The results indicate that cardiovascular function decay is less severe than that reported using other PPB ensembles at similar PPB levels. Improved protection is most likely due to the greater pressurization of the G-suit and the 45% greater bladder volume in the leg bladders, leading to restored venous return and SV.     

Model of depressed myocardium shows orthostatic intolerance with or without reduced blood volume

INTRODUCTION: The development of orthostatic hypotension (OH) is complex and multi-factorial. Previous simulation work indicates that myocardial contractility depression (MCD) may increase OH when there is a total blood volume decrease. This paper hypothesized that MCD increased OH in both humans with and without decrease in blood volume. METHODS: A model, which was previously used to reproduce cardiovascular response to lower body negative pressure (LBNP), hypovolemia, and MCD, was modified by incorporating the physiologic mechanism of plasma filtration into the interstitium during LBNP. The model was evaluated by human experimental results. Using the model, HR and BP response to LBNP were simulated at conditions of 10%, 20%, and 30% MCD. Additionally, HR and BP response to LBNP were simulated at conditions of 10% and 20% MCD with a 12% decrease in blood volume. RESULTS: Simulation results indicate that the increments of HR and decrements of systolic BP (SBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) rise with the increases of MCD. Specifically, simulation results indicate that about 30% MCD would cause OH (HR: 117 bpm; SBP: 92 mmHg; MAP: 78 mmHg). It also indicates that about 20% MCD would cause OH (HR: 134 bpm, SBP: 84 mmHg, MAP: 73 mmHg) with a 12% decrease in total blood volume. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that MCD increases OH whether or not there is a total blood decrease, and further suggested that MCD induced by both spaceflight and heart disease may increase OH.     

心肌收缩功能降低对下体负压效应影响的仿真研究

目的：研究不同程度心肌收缩功能降低对心血管系统立位应激反应的影响，探讨心肌收缩功能改变在航天失重心后心血管失调和立位耐力降低机理中的意义。方法：以我们原有仿真血量减少后下体负压（LBNP）暴露时心血管系统反应的模型为基础，对其心脏工作子模型中最大弹性系数（maximum elastance)乘以一个反映心肌收缩功能改变的系数。然后逐渐降低收缩功能改变系，仿真血容量减少12％后，心肌收缩功能降低0－305后LBNP时心率（HR）、血压（BP）和心输出量（CO）的变化。结果：心肌收缩功能降低将使LBNP时，HR加快，BP降低和CO减小。结论：心肌收缩功能降低导致心血管系统对立位应激的调节能力降低。     

Cardiovascular dynamics associated with tolerance to lower body negative pressure

The purpose of this investigation was to identify cardiovascular responses associated with tolerance to lower body negative pressure (LBNP). In this study, 18 men, ages 29-51 years, were categorized as high (HT) or low (LT) LBNP tolerant based on a graded presyncopal-limited LBNP exposure criterion of -60 mm Hg relative to ambient pressure. Groups were matched for physical characteristics and preLBNP cardiovascular measurements, with the exceptions of greater (p less than 0.05) end-diastolic volume and cardiac output in the HT group. During peak LBNP, cardiac output was similar (NS) in both groups, although the HT group displayed a greater heart rate (p less than 0.05). In both groups, venous return appeared to limit cardiac output resulting in decreased arterial pressure. Tolerance to LBNP did not appear solely dependent on the absolute amount of blood pooled in the legs since the HT group demonstrated a greater (p less than 0.05) peak LBNP-induced increase in midthigh-leg volume. Greater tolerance to LBNP was associated with a larger preLBNP cardiac output reserve and higher compensatory increases in heart rate and peripheral resistance.     

Hemodynamic reactions to modified orthostatic test in persons with different +Gz tolerance

Hemodynamic responses to the passive and modified orthostatic tests were investigated in 27 low and 13 high +Gz susceptibility individuals. The modified orthostatic test included 5 min head-down tilt (-30 degrees) and head-up tilt (78 degrees) with occlusion cuffs (50 mm Hg and 100 mm Hg) applied to the upper third of the hip. Analysis of typological reactions in low and high +Gz susceptibility individuals revealed no significant differences in their tolerance to the above tests. It was found that during the 1st minute of the modified orthostatic test with 100 mm Hg pressure in the occlusion cuffs heart rate was lower and systolic blood volume was higher (p less than 0.05) than during the passive test. Differences in these parameters disappeared by the 10th minute of exposure. During the modified orthostatic test with 50 mm Hg pressure in the occlusion cuffs these parameters did not show statistically significant differences.     

Diminished baroreflex control of forearm vascular resistance following training.

The stimulus-response characteristics of cardiopulmonary baroreflex control of forearm vascular resistance (FVR units in mm Hg.min.100 ml.ml-1) were studied in 14 volunteers before and after 10 wk of endurance training. We assessed the relationship between reflex stimulus (changes in central venous pressure, CVP) and response (FVR) during unloading of cardiopulmonary baroreceptors with lower body negative pressure (LBNP, 0 to -20 mm Hg). Changes in CVP during LBNP were estimated from pressure changes in a large peripheral vein in the dependent arm of the subject in the right lateral decubitus position. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and total blood volume increased with endurance training from 37.8 +/- 1.4 ml.min-1.kg-1 and 63.6 +/- 2.1 ml.kg-1 to 45.3 +/- 1.4 ml.min-1.kg-1 and 69.3 +/- 2.8 ml.kg-1, respectively (P less than 0.05). Reflex forearm vasoconstriction occurred in response to a reduction in estimated CVP, and the absolute change in FVR per unit of CVP was reduced from -5.96 +/- 0.79 to -4.06 +/- 0.52 units.mm Hg-1 (P less than 0.05) following exercise training but was unchanged from -6.10 to 0.57 to -6.22 +/- 0.94 units.mm Hg-1 for the time control group (N = 7). Resting values for FVR were similar before and after exercise training; however, resting estimated CVP was elevated from 9.5 +/- 0.5 mm Hg before training to 11.3 +/- 0.6 mm Hg after training.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)