Changes in Toe Clearance During Treadmill Walking After Long-Duration Spaceflight

Miller, Christopher A.; Peters, B. T.; Brady, Rachel; Richards, Jason R.; Ploutz‐Snyder, Robert; Mulavara, Ajitkumar P.; Bloomberg, Jacob J.

doi:10.3357/asem.2680.2010

Cited by 29 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…When moving the feet in the swing phase, in all experimental series, a marked increase in the dorsiflexion of the joint was recorded. Such changes in the kinematics of the ankle joint were described previously in [27], where kinematic and dynamic characteristics of walking on a treadmill were studied in cosmonauts after a prolonged SF; and an increase in the lift height of the toes above the sup port was recorded simultaneously with an increase in flexion in the ankle joint.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 65%

Comparative efficiency of different regimens of locomotor training in prolonged space flights as estimated from the data on biomechanical and electromyographic parameters of walking

Шпаков

Voronov²,

Fomina

et al. 2013

Hum Physiol

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Biomechanical and electromyographic characteristics of locomotion were studied before and after a space flight on days 3, 7, and 10 after landing in 18 participants of prolonged space missions on board the International Space Station. It has been shown that microgravity causes significant changes in biomechanical and electromyographic characteristics of walking, such as a decrease in the amplitude of angular displace ment in leg joints, a decrease in the double step length, and an increase in the electromyographic costs of locomotion. It has been also shown that interval locomotor physical training, such as alternation of running and walking, in prolonged space flights prevents an increase in the physiological costs of locomototions after a space flight and provides more efficient maintenance of the neuromuscular system's performance after a flight. Cosmonauts who performed interval locomotor training had fewer changes in biomechanical and elec tromyographic characteristics of walking.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 65%

Comparative efficiency of different regimens of locomotor training in prolonged space flights as estimated from the data on biomechanical and electromyographic parameters of walking

Шпаков

Voronov²,

Fomina

et al. 2013

Hum Physiol

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“…For example, astronauts performed worse on tests of locomotor functioning [ 1 – 4 ] and postural stability [ 2 , 5 ] directly after a 6-month spaceflight mission in comparison to their pre-flight performance. Sensorimotor function at least partially recovers from days [ 3 ] to weeks [ 4 ] after return to Earth. Several factors account for the effects of spaceflight on sensorimotor functioning, including body unloading, altered vestibular inputs [ 6 ], and maladaptive reinterpretation of graviceptor inputs [ 7 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Brain plasticity and sensorimotor deterioration as a function of 70 days head down tilt bed rest

et al. 2017

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BackgroundAdverse effects of spaceflight on sensorimotor function have been linked to altered somatosensory and vestibular inputs in the microgravity environment. Whether these spaceflight sequelae have a central nervous system component is unknown. However, experimental studies have shown spaceflight-induced brain structural changes in rodents’ sensorimotor brain regions. Understanding the neural correlates of spaceflight-related motor performance changes is important to ultimately develop tailored countermeasures that ensure mission success and astronauts’ health.MethodHead down-tilt bed rest (HDBR) can serve as a microgravity analog because it mimics body unloading and headward fluid shifts of microgravity. We conducted a 70-day 6° HDBR study with 18 right-handed males to investigate how microgravity affects focal gray matter (GM) brain volume. MRI data were collected at 7 time points before, during and post-HDBR. Standing balance and functional mobility were measured pre and post-HDBR. The same metrics were obtained at 4 time points over ~90 days from 12 control subjects, serving as reference data.ResultsHDBR resulted in widespread increases GM in posterior parietal regions and decreases in frontal areas; recovery was not yet complete by 12 days post-HDBR. Additionally, HDBR led to balance and locomotor performance declines. Increases in a cluster comprising the precuneus, precentral and postcentral gyrus GM correlated with less deterioration or even improvement in standing balance. This association did not survive Bonferroni correction and should therefore be interpreted with caution. No brain or behavior changes were observed in control subjects.ConclusionsOur results parallel the sensorimotor deficits that astronauts experience post-flight. The widespread GM changes could reflect fluid redistribution. Additionally, the association between focal GM increase and balance changes suggests that HDBR also may result in neuroplastic adaptation. Future studies are warranted to determine causality and underlying mechanisms.

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“…During these transitions, astronauts experience deficits in both perceptual and motor functions (Kozlovskaya et al, 1981 ; Reschke et al, 1994 , 1998 ; Clement and Reschke, 2008 ). Post-flight locomotor control and segmental coordination show changes that include disruption in spatial orientation during overground walking (Glasauer et al, 1995 ), alterations in muscle activation variability (Layne et al, 1997 , 1998 , 2001 , 2004 ), modified lower limb kinematics (McDonald et al, 1996 ; Courtine et al, 2002 ; Bloomberg and Mulavara, 2003 ; Miller et al, 2010 ), alterations in head-trunk coordination (Bloomberg et al, 1997 ; Bloomberg and Mulavara, 2003 ; Mulavara et al, 2012 ), reduced visual acuity during walking (Peters et al, 2011 ), and alteration in the selection of appropriate landing strategies after jumping (Newman et al, 1997 ; Courtine and Pozzo, 2004 ). Astronauts also show impaired postflight functional mobility in terms of their ability to complete an obstacle course (Mulavara et al, 2010 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhancing astronaut performance using sensorimotor adaptability training

Bloomberg

Peters

Cohen

et al. 2015

Front. Syst. Neurosci.

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Astronauts experience disturbances in balance and gait function when they return to Earth. The highly plastic human brain enables individuals to modify their behavior to match the prevailing environment. Subjects participating in specially designed variable sensory challenge training programs can enhance their ability to rapidly adapt to novel sensory situations. This is useful in our application because we aim to train astronauts to rapidly formulate effective strategies to cope with the balance and locomotor challenges associated with new gravitational environments—enhancing their ability to “learn to learn.” We do this by coupling various combinations of sensorimotor challenges with treadmill walking. A unique training system has been developed that is comprised of a treadmill mounted on a motion base to produce movement of the support surface during walking. This system provides challenges to gait stability. Additional sensory variation and challenge are imposed with a virtual visual scene that presents subjects with various combinations of discordant visual information during treadmill walking. This experience allows them to practice resolving challenging and conflicting novel sensory information to improve their ability to adapt rapidly. Information obtained from this work will inform the design of the next generation of sensorimotor countermeasures for astronauts.

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Changes in Toe Clearance During Treadmill Walking After Long-Duration Spaceflight

Cited by 29 publications

References 17 publications

Comparative efficiency of different regimens of locomotor training in prolonged space flights as estimated from the data on biomechanical and electromyographic parameters of walking

Comparative efficiency of different regimens of locomotor training in prolonged space flights as estimated from the data on biomechanical and electromyographic parameters of walking

Brain plasticity and sensorimotor deterioration as a function of 70 days head down tilt bed rest

Enhancing astronaut performance using sensorimotor adaptability training

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