Biomedical investigations conducted in support of the Extended Duration Orbiter Medical Project
No abstract available
NASA Discipline General Space Life Sciences↗
Engineering topics
Sawin, C. F.
Publications and source records attributed to Sawin, C. F..
Lessons from operational cardiovascular studies in space
The Space Shuttle program has produced a database of information on the cardiovascular responses to spaceflight, based on in-flight as well as pre- and post-flight assessments undertaken as part of the assessment of the health, safety, and efficiency of Shuttle crews. The methods used in routine cardiovascular assessments of Space Shuttle astronauts are reviewed, and the major findings of these investigations are presented.
NASA Program Data Analysis↗
Comparative performance of a modified Space Shuttle Reentry Anti-G Suit (REAGS) with and without pressure socks
In a prior study, the Armstrong Laboratory (AL) demonstrated that +G(sub z) protection during simulated shuttle reentry could be improved with an extended coverage anti-G suit with pressure socks but no abdominal bladder (REAGS). In a subsequent study conducted at the NASA Johnson Space Center it was shown that REAGS had a down side which included restricted mobility (during simulated shuttle egress) and a larger boot size needed for the pressure socks. The present study was conducted using a modified REAGS to increase mobility during egress. The size of the crotch opening was increased, and the fabric covering the buttocks was replaced with more elastic material. Six healthy male members of the AL centrifuge panel served as subjects for the study. As in the earlier study, subjects received 20 to 35 mg of IV Lasix approximately 6 hours before being exposed to a simulated space shuttle reentry +G(sub z) profile on the AL centrifuge, which induced a mean weight loss of 2.8 percent, range 2.1 percent to 3.7 percent. The REAGS was inflated to 1.0 psig 10 minutes prior to G onset. The G-profile was identical to that used in the previous REAGS study. Physiologic parameters monitored were also the same, i.e., eye-level systolic blood pressure (ELBP) using the Finapres digital cuff technique and heart rate and rhythm. Subjective comments were obtained from questionnaires administered after the increased G exposure. Systolic ELBP was maintained at 60 mm Hg or above by pressurizing the anti-G suit in 0.5 psig increments up to a maximum pressure of 2.5 psig. There were no significant differences in mean G-suit pressure required to maintain systolic ELBP at 60 mm Hg or above between the REAGS worn with and without pressure socks. Maximum mean G-levels achieved during the GOR were also the same under both experimental conditions, i.e., 4.7 G with socks and 4.6 G without socks. These G-levels were essentially the same as recorded earlier with the unmodified REAGS. There were no significant differences in comfort rating during the G exposure assigned by subjects when they wore the modified REAGS with or without the pressure socks.
Krutz, R. W., Jr.↗
An evaluation of the lower coverage anti-G suit without an abdominal bladder after 3 days of 7 deg head down tilt
Twelve healthy male subjects were initially deconditioned by 3 days of 7 deg head down tilt bed rest followed by donning the reentry anti-G suit and being centrifuged using a simulated Shuttle reentry profile. For 6 of the 12 subjects, anti-G suit pressure was increased in 0.5 psig increments if eye level blood pressure dropped below 70 mmHg. The second half of the subjects had their G-suits inflated in 0.5 psig increments if they reported 50 percent peripheral light dimming. Results show that the maximum allowable pressure for either exposure was 2.5 psig, which is the operational limit of the Shuttle anti-G suit controller.
Stegmann, B. J.↗
Comparisons of three anti-G suit configurations during long duration, low onset, +Gz
Little physiologic data exist on the effects of long duration, low onset, hypergravity (+G). Space shuttle crewmembers are subjected to low +G forces (less than +3G) for upwards of 30 minutes during reentry. A similar reentry profile is predicted for the National Aerospace Plane (NASP). The physiologic effects of this acceleration stress are compounded by the loss of body water experienced during microgravity. Currently, a standard 5 bladder anti-G suit is being used during shuttle reentry. There have been complaints of discomfort using this suit, mainly due to the abdominal bladder. This study compared the effectiveness of three anti-G suit configurations in volume depleted subjects during a simulated space shuttle reentry profile. Methods: Seven male subjects were given intravenous Lasix in a dose from 20-40 mg to induce a total body weight loss of 3 plus or minus 1.5 percent. Approximately six hours after the injection, the subjects donned one of three anti-G suits - a standard 5 bladder anti-G suit, an extended coverage anti-G suit (the advanced technology anti-G suit or ATAGS), or an extended coverage anti-G suit without an abdominal bladder (the reentry anti-G suit or REAGS). All subjects were exposed to a simulated space shuttle reentry profile. Non-invasive eye-level blood pressure (ELBP) was monitored throughout the +G exposure. When systolic ELBP dropped below 70 mmHg, the anti-G suit was inflated in 0.5 psig increments to the pressure required to maintain 70 mmHg ELBP. Each subject rode with all three suits. Comparisons were made between the final pressure required in each suit to maintain ELBP and subjective reports of comfort. Results: The mean final suit pressure required to maintain ELBP was 1.1 psi, in both the ATAGS and REAGS versus 1.8 psi in the standard suit. In addition, the subjects rated the REAGS suit highest on the comfort scale, citing the absence of the abdominal bladder as the main reason. Conclusions: Overall, the REAGS suit was the superior anti-G suit during long duration, low onset +G. This is based on its ability to maintain ELBP and still remain comfortable when inflated for prolonged periods of time.
Stegmann, B. J.↗
An evaluation of three anti-G suit concepts for shuttle reentry
A study was conducted to compare the standard anti-G launch-entry suit (LES) with a reentry full-coverage anti-G suit (REAGS) and a REAGS without an abdominal bladder (AB). (The inflated AB is the most uncomfortable G-suit component). Intravenous Lasix, a diuretic, was used to induce the fluid loss seen during space flight. Using the Armstrong Laboratory Centrifuge, data collected from seven subjects have shown that less anti-G suit pressure is required to maintain eye-level systolic blood pressure above 70 mmHg when the REAGS or REAGS without AB is worn during simulated shuttle reentry G-profiles when compared to the current LES G-suit. The REAGS without AB was significantly more comfortable than the standard anti-G suit.
Krutz, R. W., Jr.↗
Extended Duration Orbiter Medical Project
The Extended Duration Orbiter (EDO) program addresses a need for more time to perform experiments and other tasks during Space Shuttle missions. As a part of this program, the Extended Duration Orbiter Medical Project (EDOMP) has been instituted to obtain information about physiologic effects of extending mission duration and the effectiveness of countermeasures against factors that might compromise crew health, safety, or performance on extended-duration missions. Only those investigations that address and characterize operational problems, develop countermeasures, or evaluate the effectiveness of countermeasures will be pursued. The EDOMP investigations will include flight-associated Detailed Supplementary Objectives as well as ground-based studies simulating the influence of microgravity. Investigator teams have been formed in the following areas: biomedical physiology, cardiovascular and fluid/electrolyte physiology, environmental health, muscle and exercise physiology, and neurophysiology. Major operational questions must be answered in each of these areas, and investigations have been designed to answer them. The EDO program will proceed only after countermeasures have been shown to be effective in preventing or mitigating the adverse changes they have been designed to attenuate. The program is underway and will continue on each Shuttle flight as the manifest builds toward a 16-day orbital flight.
Leach, C. S.↗
Exercise response to simulated weightlessness
Two bed rest analog studies of space flight were performed; one 14 d and the other 28 d in duration. Exercise response was studied in detail during the 28 d study and following both the 14 d and 28 d studies. This paper relates the results of these studies to physiologic changes noted during and following space flight. The most consistent change noted after both bed rest and space flight is an elevated heart rate during exercise. A second consistent finding is a postflight or postbed rest reduction in cardiac stroke volume. Cardiac output changes were variable. The inability to simulate inflight activity levels and personal exercise makes a direct comparison between bed rest and the results from specific space flights difficult.
Sawin, C. F.↗
Microprocessor-based cardiopulmonary monitor
Incorporation of microprocessors in design of complete cardiopulmonary monitoring system alloys size reduction and cuts power requirements by ninety percent.
Rummel, J. A.↗
Results of Skylab medical experiment M171-metabolic activity
The primary objective of the experiment was to determine whether man's metabolic effectiveness while performing mechanical work was progressively altered by exposure to the space environment. The secondary objective was to evaluate the M171 bicycle ergometer as an in-flight crew personal exerciser. This manuscript is the report of the third (Skylab 4) manned mission and a summary of what was learned from all three Skylab manned missions about the physiological response to exercise during and after periods of 28 days, 59 days, and 84 days of weightlessness, respectively.
Michel, E. L.↗
Pulmonary function evaluation during and following Skylab space flights
Cardiac output measurements were made in the laboratory during preflight and postflight exercise tests. Due to the magnitude of decreases in cardiac output following the first and second manned Skylab missions and because the method used is based upon normal pulmonary function, it was decided to perform more thorough pulmonary function screening in conjunction with the final and longest duration Skylab mission. This paper summarized pulmonary function data obtained during all three Skylab missions.
Sawin, C. F.↗
Medical experiment M-171 - Results from the second manned Skylab mission
Preflight, inflight, and postflight exercise response tests were conducted on the astronauts of the second Skylab mission as part of an evaluation of physiological adaptation to long-term weightlessness. The flight phase of this mission was 59 days in duration. An exercise protocol was designed around a bicycle ergometer which was used to apply work loads approximating 25, 50, and 75% of each crewman's measured maximum aerobic capacity. Respiratory gas exchange, heart rate, and blood pressure were measured during all tests; cardiac output was measured at selected times during preflight and postflight tests. Data obtained both at rest and during exercise in flight showed no consistent changes which would indicate a degraded physical work capacity. In fact, heart rate during exercise actually decreased for all crewmen in flight. This response indicated improved physical fitness in flight relative to preflight. The postflight period of readaptation to 1 G was characterized by a marked tachycardia, during which time stroke volume was decreased. This response returned to normal within 5-day postflight.
Rummel, J. A.↗
Spacelab Mission Simulation-II
The NASA Johnson Space Center conducted the second in a series of Spacelab mission simulations during the week of January 26-February 1, 1976. The facilities that supported the Spacelab Mission Simulation-II (SMS-II) included mock-ups of Spacelab, the Orbiter mid-deck and aft flight deck areas, and support areas simulating a mission control area and a payload operation control area. The SMS-II encompassed presently identified Spacelab mission requirements including experiment solicitation, evaluation, selection, and prioritization; crew selection and training; experiment hardware development, integration, and evaluation. The payload chosen included a cosmic ray physics experiment which was located on a pallet aft of the Spacelab and 20 biomedical experiments which were performed in the Spacelab. This paper will summarize simulation experience to date and list areas requiring substantial evaluation in the future.
Sawin, C. F.↗
Exercise cardiac output following Skylab missions - The second manned Skylab mission
Cardiac output was measured during preflight and postflight exercise-stress tests on the Skylab astronauts. In the postflight tests immediately following the 28-, 59-, and 84-d earth orbital missions, the astronauts exhibited an approximate 30% decrease in cardiac output coupled with an approximate 50% decrease in cardiac stroke volume during exercise. These changes were accompanied by elevated heart rates and significant increases in total systemic peripheral vascular resistance. Mean arterial pressure was unchanged. All parameters returned to normal preflight values within 30 d of the end of the orbital period. Duration of the zero-G exposure did not appear to influence either the magnitude of the hemodynamic changes or the time-course of their return to normal. These results are discussed in relation to other cardiovascular findings and possible mechanisms responsible for the observations are outlined.
Buderer, M. C.↗
Pulmonary function evaluation during the Skylab and Apollo-Soyuz missions
Previous experience during Apollo postflight exercise testing indicated no major changes in pulmonary function. Pulmonary function has been studied in detail following exposure to hypoxic and hyperoxic normal gravity environments, but no previous study has reported on men exposed to an environment that was both normoxic at 258 torr total pressure and at null gravity as encountered in Skylab. Forced vital capacity (FVC) was measured during the preflight and postflight periods of the Skylab 2 mission. Inflight measurements of vital capacity (VC) were obtained during the last 2 weeks of the second manned mission (Skylab 3). More detailed pulmonary function screening was accomplished during the Skylab 4 mission. The primary measurements made during Skylab 4 testing included residual volume determination (RV), closing volume (CV), VC, FVC and its derivatives. In addition, VC was measured in flight at regular intervals during the Skylab 4 mission. Vital capacity was decreased slightly (-10%) in flight in all Skylab 4 crewmen. No major preflight-to-postflight changes were observed. The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) crewmen were studied using equipment and procedures similar to those employed during Skylab 4. Postflight evaluation of the ASTP crewmen was complicated by their inadvertent exposure to nitrogen tetroxide gas fumes upon reentry.
Sawin, C. F.↗
Physiological response to exercise after space flight - Apollo 14 through Apollo 17
Submaximal exercise stress tests were conducted preflight and postflight on the Apollo 14-17 crewmen. A bicycle ergometer was utilized to evoke target heart rates up to 160 beats/min while respiratory gas exchange, blood pressure, and cardiac output were measured. Three preflight tests were conducted during the month prior to flight to establish baseline values for postflight comparisons. Tachycardia was evidenced at rest and during exercise immediately postflight. This transitory tachycardia compensated for reduced stroke volume. Systolic blood pressure was reduced during exercise stress, but no consistent changes were observed in diastolic blood pressure. With the exception of the Apollo 15 crewmen, all crewmen had returned to preflight response levels by the day following recovery. No changes were observed in mechanical or respiratory efficiency immediately postflight.
Rummel, J. A.↗
Instrumented personal exercise during long-duration space flights
The present work reports the results of instrumented personal exercise performed in flight by Skylab 3 and 4 crewmen. Inflight cycle ergometer data provide conclusive evidence that man can perform earthbound equivalent maximum levels of physical work while in the zero-G environment. Moreover, SL4 crewmen were able to improve their physical condition during 84 days of space flight relative to launch condition, due to rigorous personal exercise regimens. Biological data measured included oxygen consumption, CO2 production, minute volume, and heart rate.
Sawin, C. F.↗
Skylab experiment M-171 'Metabolic Activity' - Results of the first manned mission
The experiment was performed to ascertain whether man's ability to perform mechanical work would be altered as a result of exposure to the weightless environment. Skylab II crewmen were exercised on a bicycle ergometer at loads approximating 25%, 50%, and 75% of their maximum oxygen uptake while their physiological responses were monitored. The results of these tests indicate that the crewmen had no significant decrement in their response to exercise during their exposure to zero gravity. Immediately postflight, however, all crewmen demonstrated an inability to perform the programmed exercise with the same metabolic effectiveness as they did both preflight and inflight. The most significant changes were elevated heart rates for the same work load and oxygen consumption (decreased oxygen pulse), decreased stroke volume, and decreased cardiac output at the same oxygen consumption level. It is apparent that the changes occurred inflight, but did not manifest themselves until the crewmen attempted to readapt to the 1-G environment.
Michel, E. L.↗