[+Gz load tolerance in nonflight personnel of different ages]

Ninety-six healthy nonpilots, aged 21 to 50 years, were exposed to 228 rotations on a 7.25 m arm human centrifuge. The study demonstrated age-related changes in +Gz tolerance of 3 to 5 G (for 30 sec). The subjects at the age 31 to 40 years showed the highest tolerance while the subjects at the age 21 to 25 and 46 to 50 years the lowest tolerance. Young subjects (21-25 years old) often developed an asthenic type of the systolic pressure reaction in the ear lobe and visual disorders whereas older subjects (46-50 years old) displayed cardiac arrhythmias, lower heart rate and delayed recovery of blood pressure after exposure. It was also found that 60-80% subjects aged over 40 well tolerated acceleration of up to 5 G and therefore can be viewed as potential candidates for cosmonauts.