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Knee extensor fatigability after bedrest for 8 weeks with and without countermeasure.
Edwin R Mulder1, Wolfgang M Kuebler, Karin H L Gerrits
1Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands. e.mulder@neuro.umcn.nl
Muscle & Nerve
|July 31, 2007
Summary
Gravitational unloading from bed rest increases muscle fatigability and reduces blood flow. Daily resistive vibration exercise effectively counteracts these detrimental effects, preserving muscle endurance.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Space Medicine
- Muscle Biology
Background:
- Gravitational unloading, such as during prolonged bed rest, leads to significant muscle deconditioning.
- Reduced muscle endurance and altered muscle blood flow are key consequences of unloading.
- Effective countermeasures are crucial for maintaining muscle function during spaceflight and recovery from illness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of 8 weeks of horizontal bed rest on knee extensor muscle fatigability.
- To evaluate the efficacy of daily resistive vibration exercise (RVE) as a countermeasure against bed rest-induced deconditioning.
- To assess the effects of RVE on muscle blood flow during unloading.
Main Methods:
- 17 healthy male volunteers underwent 8 weeks of horizontal bed rest.
- Muscle fatigability was assessed by measuring the decrease in maximal voluntary isometric torque over time.
- Muscle blood flow was measured, with participants either receiving daily RVE or not.
Main Results:
- Bed rest significantly increased muscle fatigability and decreased muscle blood flow.
- Daily RVE intervention prevented the increase in fatigability observed in the control group.
- RVE mitigated the reduction in muscle blood flow, preserving it more effectively than bed rest alone.
Conclusions:
- Resistive vibration exercise is an effective countermeasure against muscle deconditioning caused by gravitational unloading.
- RVE helps maintain muscle endurance and blood flow during prolonged bed rest.
- This intervention holds promise for astronauts and patients requiring extended bed rest.
