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Gottschalk F, Gennser M, Günther M, Eiken O, Elia A. Eccentric exercise before a 90 min exposure at 24,000 ft increases decompression strain depending on body region but not total muscle mass recruited. Exp Physiol 2024; 109:1517-1528. [PMID: 38923893 PMCID: PMC11363104 DOI: 10.1113/ep091853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Eccentric upper-body exercise performed 24 h prior to high-altitude decompression has previously been shown to aggravate venous gas emboli (VGE) load. Yet, it is unclear whether increasing the muscle mass recruited (i.e., upper vs. whole-body) during eccentric exercise would exacerbate the decompression strain. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate whether the total muscle mass recruited during eccentric exercise influences the decompression strain. Eleven male participants were exposed to a simulated altitude of 24,000 ft for 90 min on three separate occasions. Twenty-four hours before each exposure, participants performed one of the following protocols: (i) eccentric whole-body exercise (ECCw; squats and arm-cycling exercise), (ii) eccentric upper-body exercise (ECCu; arm-cycling), or (iii) no exercise (control). Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and isometric strength were evaluated before and after each exercise intervention. VGE load was evaluated at rest and after knee- and arm-flex provocations using the 6-graded Eftedal-Brubakk scale. Knee extensor (-20 ± 14%, P = 0.001) but not elbow flexor (-12 ± 18%, P = 0.152) isometric strength was reduced 24 h after ECCw. ECCu reduced elbow flexor isometric strength at 24 h post-exercise (-18 ± 10%, P < 0.001). Elbow flexor DOMS was higher in the ECCu (median 6) compared with ECCw (5, P = 0.035). VGE scores were higher following arm-flex provocations in the ECCu (median (range), 3 (0-4)) compared with ECCw (2 (0-3), P = 0.039) and control (0 (0-2), P = 0.011), and in ECCw compared with control (P = 0.023). VGE were detected earlier in ECCu (13 ± 20 min) compared with control (60 ± 38 min, P = 0.021), while no differences were noted between ECCw (18 ± 30 min) and control or ECCu. Eccentric exercise increased the decompression strain compared with control. The VGE load varied depending on the body region but not the total muscle mass recruited. HIGHLIGHTS: What is the central question of this study? Does exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) resulting from eccentric exercise influence the presence of venous gas emboli (VGE) during a 90 min continuous exposure at 24,000 ft? What is the main finding and its importance? EIMD led to an earlier manifestation and greater VGE load compared with control. However, the decompression strain was dependent on the body region but not the total muscle mass recruited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frode Gottschalk
- Division of Environmental PhysiologySwedish Aerospace Physiology CenterKTH Royal Institute of TechnologyStockholmSweden
- Department of Neuroscience, Experimental TraumatologyKI Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Mikael Gennser
- Division of Environmental PhysiologySwedish Aerospace Physiology CenterKTH Royal Institute of TechnologyStockholmSweden
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologyKI Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Mattias Günther
- Department of Neuroscience, Experimental TraumatologyKI Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Ola Eiken
- Division of Environmental PhysiologySwedish Aerospace Physiology CenterKTH Royal Institute of TechnologyStockholmSweden
| | - Antonis Elia
- Division of Environmental PhysiologySwedish Aerospace Physiology CenterKTH Royal Institute of TechnologyStockholmSweden
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologyKI Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
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Gottschalk F, Eiken O, Elia A, Gennser M. Eccentric exercise 24 h prior to hypobaric decompression increases decompression strain. Eur J Appl Physiol 2023; 123:2001-2011. [PMID: 37140728 PMCID: PMC10460726 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-023-05214-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Animal studies have shown that recent musculoskeletal injuries increase the risk of decompression sickness (DCS). However, to date no similar experimental study has been performed in humans. The aim was to investigate if exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD)-as provoked by eccentric work and characterized by reduced strength and delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS)-leads to increased formation of venous gas emboli (VGE) during subsequent hypobaric exposure. METHODS Each subject (n = 13) was on two occasions exposed to a simulated altitude of 24,000 ft for 90 min, whilst breathing oxygen. Twenty-four hours prior to one of the altitude exposures, each subject performed 15 min of eccentric arm-crank exercise. Markers of EIMD were reduction in isometric m. biceps brachii strength and DOMS as assessed on the Borg CR10 pain scale. The presence of VGE was measured in the right cardiac ventricle using ultrasound, with measurements performed at rest and after three leg kicks and three arm flexions. The degree of VGE was evaluated using the six-graded Eftedal-Brubakk scale and the Kisman integrated severity score (KISS). RESULTS Eccentric exercise induced DOMS (median 6.5), reduced the biceps brachii strength (from 230 ± 62 N to 151 ± 8.8 N) and increased the mean KISS at 24,000 ft, both at rest (from 1.2 ± 2.3 to 6.9 ± 9.2, p = 0.01) and after arm flexions (from 3.8 ± 6.2 to 15.5 ± 17.3, p = 0.029). CONCLUSION EIMD, induced by eccentric work, provokes release of VGE in response to acute decompression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frode Gottschalk
- Division of Environmental Physiology, Swedish Aerospace Physiology Center, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Department of Neuroscience, Experimental Traumatology, KI Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Ola Eiken
- Division of Environmental Physiology, Swedish Aerospace Physiology Center, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Antonis Elia
- Division of Environmental Physiology, Swedish Aerospace Physiology Center, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mikael Gennser
- Division of Environmental Physiology, Swedish Aerospace Physiology Center, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
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Van Cutsem J, Pattyn N, Mairesse O, Delwiche B, Fernandez Tellez H, Van Puyvelde M, Lacroix E, McDonnell AC, Eiken O, Mekjavic IB. Adult Female Sleep During Hypoxic Bed Rest. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:852741. [PMID: 35620666 PMCID: PMC9127600 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.852741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Hypobaric hypoxic habitats are currently being touted as a potential solution to minimise decompression procedures in preparation for extra vehicular activities during future space missions. Since astronauts will live in hypoxic environments for the duration of such missions, the present study sought to elucidate the separate and combined effects of inactivity [simulated with the experimental bed rest (BR) model] and hypoxia on sleep characteristics in women. Methods Twelve women (Age = 27 ± 3 year) took part in three 10-day interventions, in a repeated measures cross-over counterbalanced design: (1) normobaric normoxic BR (NBR), (2) normobaric hypoxic BR (HBR; simulated altitude of 4,000 m), and (3) normobaric hypoxic ambulatory (HAMB; 4,000 m) confinement, during which sleep was assessed on night 1 and night 10 with polysomnography. In addition, one baseline sleep assessment was performed. This baseline assessment, although lacking a confinement aspect, was included statistically as a fourth comparison (i.e., pseudo normobaric normoxic ambulatory; pNAMB) in the present study. Results Hypoxia decreased sleep efficiency (p = 0.019), increased N1% sleep (p = 0.030), decreased N3 sleep duration (p = 0.003), and increased apnea hypopnea index (p < 0.001). BR impaired sleep maintenance, efficiency, and architecture [e.g., N2% sleep increased (p = 0.033)]. Specifically, for N3% sleep, the effects of partial pressure of oxygen and activity interacted. Hypoxia decreased N3% sleep both when active (pNAMB vs HAMB; p < 0.001) and inactive (NBR vs HBR; p = 0.021), however, this decrease was attenuated in the inactive state (–3.8%) compared to the active state (–10.2%). Conclusion A 10-day exposure to hypoxia and BR negatively impacted sleep on multiple levels as in macrostructure, microstructure and respiratory functioning. Interestingly, hypoxia appeared to have less adverse effects on sleep macrostructure while the participants were inactive (bed ridden) compared to when ambulatory. Data were missing to some extent (i.e., 20.8%). Therefore, multiple imputation was used, and our results should be considered as exploratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeroen Van Cutsem
- VIPER Research Unit, Royal Military Academy, Brussels, Belgium
- Human Physiology and Sports Physiotherapy Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Jeroen Van Cutsem, , orcid.org/0000-0001-6122-7629
| | - Nathalie Pattyn
- VIPER Research Unit, Royal Military Academy, Brussels, Belgium
- Human Physiology and Sports Physiotherapy Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Olivier Mairesse
- Sleep Laboratory and Unit for Chronobiology U78, Brugmann University Hospital, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Brain, Body and Cognition, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bérénice Delwiche
- VIPER Research Unit, Royal Military Academy, Brussels, Belgium
- Brain, Body and Cognition, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Martine Van Puyvelde
- VIPER Research Unit, Royal Military Academy, Brussels, Belgium
- Experimental and Applied Psychology, Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Clinical & Lifespan Psychology, Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Emilie Lacroix
- VIPER Research Unit, Royal Military Academy, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Adam C. McDonnell
- Department of Automation, Biocybernetics and Robotics, Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ola Eiken
- Department of Environmental Physiology, Swedish Aerospace Physiology centre, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Igor B. Mekjavic
- Department of Automation, Biocybernetics and Robotics, Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
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Elia A, Eiken O, Ånell R, Grönkvist M, Gennser M. Whole-body vibration preconditioning reduces the formation and delays the manifestation of high-altitude-induced venous gas emboli. Exp Physiol 2021; 106:1743-1751. [PMID: 34142740 DOI: 10.1113/ep089522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
NEW FINDINGS What is the central question of this study? Is performing a 30-min whole-body vibration (WBV) prior to a continuous 90-min exposure at 24,000 ft sufficient to prevent venous gas emboli (VGE) formation? What is the main finding and its importance? WBV preconditioning significantly reduces the formation and delays the manifestation of high-altitude-induced VGE. This study suggests that WBV is an effective strategy in lowering decompression stress. ABSTRACT Rapid decompression may give rise to formation of venous gas emboli (VGE) and resultantly, increase the risk of sustaining decompression sickness. Preconditioning aims at lowering the prevalence of VGE during decompression. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of whole-body vibration (WBV) preconditioning on high-altitude-induced VGE. Eight male subjects performed, on separate days in a randomised order, three preconditioning strategies: 40-min seated-rest (control), 30-min seated-rest followed by 150 knee-squats performed over a 10-min period (exercise) and 30-min WBV proceeded by a 10-min seated-rest. Thereafter, subjects were exposed to an altitude of 24,000 ft (7315 m) for 90 min whilst laying in a supine position and breathing 100% oxygen. VGE were assessed ultrasonically both during supine rest (5-min intervals) and after three fast, unloaded knee-bends (15-min intervals) and were scored using a 5-grade scale and evaluated using the Kisman Integrated Severity Score (KISS). There was a significant difference in VGE grade (P < 0.001), time to VGE manifestation (P = 0.014) and KISS score following knee-bends (P = 0.002) across protocols, with a trend in KISS score during supine rest (P = 0.070). WBV resulted in lower VGE grades (median (range), 1 (0-3)) and KISS score (2.69 ± 4.56 a.u.) compared with control (2 (1-3), P = 0.002; 12.86 ± 8.40 a.u., P = 0.011) and exercise (3 (2-4) , P < 0.001; 22.04 ± 13.45 a.u., P = 0.002). VGE were detected earlier during control (15 ± 14 min, P = 0.024) and exercise (17 ± 24 min, P = 0.032) than WBV (54 ± 38 min). Performing a 30-min WBV prior to a 90-min continuous exposure at 24,000 ft both delays the manifestation and reduces the formation of VGE compared with control and exercise preconditioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonis Elia
- Division of Environmental Physiology, Swedish Aerospace Physiology Center, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ola Eiken
- Division of Environmental Physiology, Swedish Aerospace Physiology Center, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rickard Ånell
- Division of Environmental Physiology, Swedish Aerospace Physiology Center, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mikael Grönkvist
- Division of Environmental Physiology, Swedish Aerospace Physiology Center, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mikael Gennser
- Division of Environmental Physiology, Swedish Aerospace Physiology Center, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
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Imbert JP, Egi SM, Germonpré P, Balestra C. Static Metabolic Bubbles as Precursors of Vascular Gas Emboli During Divers' Decompression: A Hypothesis Explaining Bubbling Variability. Front Physiol 2019; 10:807. [PMID: 31354506 PMCID: PMC6638188 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The risk for decompression sickness (DCS) after hyperbaric exposures (such as SCUBA diving) has been linked to the presence and quantity of vascular gas emboli (VGE) after surfacing from the dive. These VGE can be semi-quantified by ultrasound Doppler and quantified via precordial echocardiography. However, for an identical dive, VGE monitoring of divers shows variations related to individual susceptibility, and, for a same diver, dive-to-dive variations which may be influenced by pre-dive pre-conditioning. These variations are not explained by currently used algorithms. In this paper, we present a new hypothesis: individual metabolic processes, through the oxygen window (OW) or Inherent Unsaturation of tissues, modulate the presence and volume of static metabolic bubbles (SMB) that in turn act as precursors of circulating VGE after a dive. Methods We derive a coherent system of assumptions to describe static gas bubbles, located on the vessel endothelium at hydrophobic sites, that would be activated during decompression and become the source of VGE. We first refer to the OW and show that it creates a local tissue unsaturation that can generate and stabilize static gas phases in the diver at the surface. We then use Non-extensive thermodynamics to derive an equilibrium equation that avoids any geometrical description. The final equation links the SMB volume directly to the metabolism. Results and Discussion Our model introduces a stable population of small gas pockets of an intermediate size between the nanobubbles nucleating on the active sites and the VGE detected in the venous blood. The resulting equation, when checked against our own previously published data and the relevant scientific literature, supports both individual variation and the induced differences observed in pre-conditioning experiments. It also explains the variability in VGE counts based on age, fitness, type and frequency of physical activities. Finally, it fits into the general scheme of the arterial bubble assumption for the description of the DCS risk. Conclusion Metabolism characterization of the pre-dive SMB population opens new possibilities for decompression algorithms by considering the diver's individual susceptibility and recent history (life style, exercise) to predict the level of VGE during and after decompression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Salih Murat Egi
- Department of Computer Engineering, Galatasaray University, Istanbul, Turkey.,DAN Europe Research Division, Divers Alert Network (DAN), Roseto, Italy
| | - Peter Germonpré
- DAN Europe Research Division, Divers Alert Network (DAN), Roseto, Italy.,Centre for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Military Hospital Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Costantino Balestra
- DAN Europe Research Division, Divers Alert Network (DAN), Roseto, Italy.,Environmental, Occupational and Ageing Physiology Laboratory, Haute Ecole Bruxelles-Brabant (HE2B), Brussels, Belgium
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