[Age characteristics of the regional hemodynamic state of cosmonauts]

Hemodynamics of the large hemispheres of the brain, vertebral-basilar system, lungs and legs of 60 cosmonauts, aged 30-37 and 38-47, was investigated rheographically. Measurements were made in the morning, under conditions of basal metabolism and in the daytime, before orthostatic tests. Comparison of the hemodynamic parameters recorded in the morning and at the daytime and in the two age groups showed significant differences revealing the effects of different factors, first of all psychoemotional tension, on the vasomotor regulation, and greater resistance of cerebral and pulmonary vascular systems of older cosmonauts to those effects. These investigations emphasize great importance of studies of regional hemodynamics, especially rheoencephalography, not only before provocative tests but also under conditions of basal metabolism.