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Increase of LBNP tolerance using elastic compression stockings
F M Melçhior1, P H Thullier, D Lejeune
1Laboratoire de Médecine Aérospatiale, Centre d'Essais en Vol, Brétigny S/Orge, France.
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|December 1, 1996
Summary
Elastic compression stockings improve orthostatic tolerance in astronauts by reducing leg blood capacity. These findings suggest stockings may be a valuable countermeasure for spaceflight recovery.
Area of Science:
- Space medicine
- Human physiology
- Cardiovascular research
Background:
- Astronauts experience reduced orthostatic tolerance post-spaceflight due to weightlessness.
- Current countermeasures are in use or under investigation.
- Leg blood capacity (LBC) is a key determinant of orthostatic tolerance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effectiveness of elastic compression stockings in reducing LBC.
- To evaluate stockings as a potential countermeasure for orthostatic intolerance in astronauts.
Main Methods:
- Study involved 6 healthy male participants.
- Lower body negative pressure (LBNP) test used to assess orthostatic tolerance.
- Participants underwent graded LBNP exposure with and without compression stockings.
Main Results:
- Maximal LBNP tolerance increased significantly with stockings (108 hPa vs. 88 hPa).
- Cumulative Stress Index (CSI) improved with stockings (1734 hPa-min vs. 1122 hPa-min).
- Statistical significance achieved for both LBNP tolerance (p=0.018) and CSI (p=0.029).
Conclusions:
- Elastic compression stockings enhance LBNP tolerance.
- Ease of use and effectiveness support further study for astronaut countermeasure.
- Stockings show promise for mitigating post-flight orthostatic intolerance.