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Related Experiment Videos

Cutaneous microvascular flow in the foot during simulated variable gravities

D S Chang1, G A Breit, J R Styf

  • 1Life Science Division, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California 94035-1000, USA.

The American Journal of Physiology
|October 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary

Reduced blood flow in the foot sole during weight-bearing is linked to lower foot arterial pressure in simulated microgravity. This suggests increased risk of foot ischemia in space compared to Earth.

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Area of Science:

  • Physiology
  • Space Medicine
  • Biomechanics

Background:

  • Understanding the effects of altered gravitational fields on human physiology is crucial for space exploration.
  • Blood perfusion in the foot sole is vital for tissue health and function during weight-bearing activities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how varying gravitational fields impact blood perfusion in the human foot sole during weight-bearing.
  • To determine the relationship between gravitational load, foot arterial pressure, and the tolerance to external compression in the foot sole.

Main Methods:

  • Human subjects were tilted to simulate Earth gravity (1 Gz), Mars gravity (0.38 Gz), Moon gravity (0.17 Gz), and microgravity (0 Gz).
  • Cutaneous capillary blood flow on the plantar heel was measured using laser Doppler flowmetry.
Keywords:
NASA Center ARCNASA Discipline Cardiopulmonary

Related Experiment Videos

  • Weight-bearing load was incrementally applied and reduced to determine closing and opening loads, alongside mean arterial pressure in the foot (MAP(foot)).

    • Main Results:

    • Mean closing loads decreased significantly with reduced gravity: 9.1 kg (Earth) to 3.6 kg (microgravity).
    • Mean opening loads showed a similar trend: 7.9 kg (Earth) to 3.1 kg (microgravity).
    • Mean arterial pressure in the foot (MAP(foot)) was strongly correlated with closing and opening loads (r=0.70, 0.72) and decreased from 192 mmHg (Earth) to 87 mmHg (microgravity).

    Conclusions:

    • Decreased local arterial pressure in the foot significantly lowers tolerance to external compression.
    • The human foot sole may be more susceptible to cutaneous ischemia when bearing weight in microgravity compared to Earth's gravity.
    • These findings have implications for astronaut health and mission planning, particularly concerning foot care and mobility in space environments.