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Swanenburg J, Easthope CA, Meinke A, Langenfeld A, Green DA, Schweinhardt P. Lunar and mars gravity induce similar changes in spinal motor control as microgravity. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1196929. [PMID: 37565140 PMCID: PMC10411353 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1196929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Once more, plans are underway to send humans to the Moon or possibly even to Mars. It is therefore, important to know potential physiological effects of a prolonged stay in space and to minimize possible health risks to astronauts. It has been shown that spinal motor control strategies change during microgravity induced by parabolic flight. The way in which spinal motor control strategies change during partial microgravity, such as that encountered on the Moon and on Mars, is not known. Methods: Spinal motor control measurements were performed during Earth, lunar, Mars, and micro-gravity conditions and two hypergravity conditions of a parabola. Three proxy measures of spinal motor control were recorded: spinal stiffness of lumbar L3 vertebra using the impulse response, muscle activity of lumbar flexors and extensors using surface electromyography, and lumbar curvature using two curvature distance sensors placed at the upper and lower lumbar spine. The participants were six females and six males, with a mean age of 33 years (standard deviation: 7 years). Results: Gravity condition had a statistically significant (Friedmann tests) effect spinal stiffness (p < 0.001); on EMG measures (multifidus (p = 0.047), transversus abdominis (p < 0.001), and psoas (p < 0.001) muscles) and on upper lumbar curvature sensor (p < 0.001). No effect was found on the erector spinae muscle (p = 0.063) or lower curvature sensor (p = 0.170). Post hoc tests revealed a significant increase in stiffness under micro-, lunar-, and Martian gravity conditions (all p's < 0.034). Spinal stiffness decreased under both hypergravity conditions (all p's ≤ 0.012) and decreased during the second hypergravity compared to the first hypergravity condition (p = 0.012). Discussion: Micro-, lunar-, and Martian gravity conditions resulted in similar increases in spinal stiffness, a decrease in transversus abdominis muscle activity, with no change in psoas muscle activity and thus modulation of spinal motor stabilization strategy compared to those observed under Earth's gravity. These findings suggest that the spine is highly sensitive to gravity transitions but that Lunar and Martian gravity are below that required for normal modulation of spinal motor stabilization strategy and thus may be associated with LBP and/or IVD risk without the definition of countermeasures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaap Swanenburg
- Department of Chiropractic Medicine, Integrative Spinal Research ISR, Balgrist University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Innovation Cluster Space and Aviation (UZH Space Hub), Air Force Center, University of Zurich, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Christopher A. Easthope
- Cereneo—Center for Interdisciplinary Research, Vitznau, Switzerland
- Lake Lucerne Institute, Vitznau, Switzerland
| | - Anita Meinke
- Department of Chiropractic Medicine, Integrative Spinal Research ISR, Balgrist University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Anke Langenfeld
- Department of Chiropractic Medicine, Integrative Spinal Research ISR, Balgrist University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - David A. Green
- Centre of Human and Applied Physiological Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Space Medicine Team, European Astronaut Centre, European Space Agency, Cologne, Germany
- KBRwyle GmbH, Cologne, Germany
| | - Petra Schweinhardt
- Department of Chiropractic Medicine, Integrative Spinal Research ISR, Balgrist University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
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Swanenburg J, Langenfeld A, Easthope CA, Meier ML, Ullrich O, Schweinhardt P. Microgravity and Hypergravity Induced by Parabolic Flight Differently Affect Lumbar Spinal Stiffness. Front Physiol 2020; 11:562557. [PMID: 32982803 PMCID: PMC7492749 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.562557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the response of the lumbar spinal motor control in different gravitational conditions. This was accomplished by measuring indicators of lumbar motor control, specifically lumbar spinal stiffness, activity of lumbar extensor and flexor muscles and lumbar curvature, in hypergravity and microgravity during parabolic flights. Three female and five male subjects participated in this study. The mean age was 35.5 years (standard deviation: 8.5 years). Spinal stiffness of the L3 vertebra was measured using impulse response; activity of the erector spinae, multifidi, transversus abdominis, and psoas muscles was recorded using surface electromyography; and lumbar curvature was measured using distance sensors mounted on the back-plate of a full-body harness. An effect of gravity condition on spinal stiffness, activity of all muscles assessed and lumbar curvature (p’s < 0.007) was observed (Friedman tests). Post hoc analysis showed a significant reduction in stiffness during hypergravity (p < 0.001) and an increase in stiffness during microgravity (p < 0.001). Activity in all muscles significantly increased during hypergravity (p’s < 0.001). During microgravity, the multifidi (p < 0.002) and transversus abdominis (p < 0.001) increased significantly in muscle activity while no significant difference was found for the psoas (p = 0.850) and erector spinae muscles (p = 0.813). Lumbar curvature flattened in hypergravity as well as microgravity, albeit in different ways: during hypergravity, the distance to the skin decreased for the upper (p = 0.016) and the lower sensor (p = 0.036). During microgravity, the upper sensor showed a significant increase (p = 0.016), and the lower showed a decrease (p = 0.005) in distance. This study emphasizes the role of spinal motor control adaptations in changing gravity conditions. Both hypergravity and microgravity lead to changes in spinal motor control. The decrease in spinal stiffness during hypergravity is interpreted as a shift of the axial load from the spine to the pelvis and thoracic cage. In microgravity, activity of the multifidi and of the psoas muscles seems to ensure the integrity of the spine. Swiss (BASEC-NR: 2018-00051)/French “EST-III” (Nr-ID-RCB: 2018-A011294-51/Nr-CPP: 18.06.09).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaap Swanenburg
- Integrative Spinal Research ISR, Department of Chiropractic Medicine, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anke Langenfeld
- Integrative Spinal Research ISR, Department of Chiropractic Medicine, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Michael L Meier
- Integrative Spinal Research ISR, Department of Chiropractic Medicine, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Oliver Ullrich
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Machine Design, Engineering Design and Product Development, Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.,Space Medicine, Department of Industrial Engineering, Ernst-Abbe-Hochschule Jena, Jena, Germany.,Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology (ZIHP), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Petra Schweinhardt
- Integrative Spinal Research ISR, Department of Chiropractic Medicine, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
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Kokotis P, Papadimas GK, Zouvelou V, Zambelis T, Manta P, Karandreas N. Electrodiagnosis and muscle biopsy in asymptomatic hyperckemia. Int J Neurosci 2015; 126:514-519. [PMID: 26000931 DOI: 10.3109/00207454.2015.1038534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Purpose/aim of the study: An increased serum level of creatine kinase (CK) in asymptomatic individuals is a diagnostic challenge, as it may be associated with either physiological conditions, such as exercise or even signal an ominous neuromuscular disease at a presymptomatic stage. The electromyogram (EMG) and the muscle biopsy play a key role in the evaluation of asymptomatic hyperckemia. The objective of this study was to investigate asymptomatic individuals with increased CK levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS We comparatively studied EMG, quantitative EMG and muscle biopsy in asymptomatic clinically normal individuals with repeatedly increased CK levels. RESULTS Conventional EMG was abnormal in 76% of patients, while quantitative EMG showed abnormal results in 88.9%. Muscle biopsy was diagnostic in 28%, one patient had neurogenic findings, 40% showed non-specific changes and 28% had normal results. CONCLUSIONS EMG and especially quantitative EMG are highly sensitive in detecting subclinical neuromuscular diseases, whereas muscle biopsy may better contribute in the final diagnosis. No strong correlations were found between histological abnormalities and electrophysiological data, but further research is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Kokotis
- a Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Eginition Hospital , University of Athens , Athens , Greece
| | - G K Papadimas
- a Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Eginition Hospital , University of Athens , Athens , Greece
| | - V Zouvelou
- a Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Eginition Hospital , University of Athens , Athens , Greece
| | - T Zambelis
- a Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Eginition Hospital , University of Athens , Athens , Greece
| | - P Manta
- a Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Eginition Hospital , University of Athens , Athens , Greece
| | - N Karandreas
- a Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Eginition Hospital , University of Athens , Athens , Greece
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Supala-Berger A, Fine E, Heffner R, Young-McLain E. Hyaline inclusion myopathy: unmasked by statin therapy. Muscle Nerve 2009; 40:657-61. [PMID: 19670387 DOI: 10.1002/mus.21079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
We report a case of a patient with history of alcohol abuse, treatment for hepatitis C and repeated strenuous physical activity who developed severe muscle pain and weakness during statin therapy. The symptoms persisted after discontinuation of the drug. The diagnosis of myopathy was made clinically and by electromyography. As his symptoms persisted a muscle biopsy was performed which showed inclusions consistent with hyaline inclusions. Hyaline inclusion myopathy is discussed in the context of this case with review of the literature.
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Hu H, Meijer OG, van Dieën JH, Hodges PW, Bruijn SM, Strijers RL, Nanayakkara PW, van Royen BJ, Wu W, Xia C. Muscle activity during the active straight leg raise (ASLR), and the effects of a pelvic belt on the ASLR and on treadmill walking. J Biomech 2009; 43:532-9. [PMID: 19883914 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2009.09.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2009] [Revised: 09/21/2009] [Accepted: 09/22/2009] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Women with pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPP), or athletes with groin pain, may have trouble with the active straight leg raise (ASLR), for which a pelvic belt can be beneficial. How the problems emerge, or how the belt works, remains insufficiently understood. We assessed muscle activity during ASLR, and how it changes with a pelvic belt. Healthy nulligravidae (N=17) performed the ASLR, and walked on a treadmill at increasing speeds, without and with a belt. Fine-wire electromyography (EMG) was used to record activity of the mm. psoas, iliacus and transversus abdominis, while other hip and trunk muscles were recorded with surface EMG. In ASLR, all muscles were active. In both tasks, transverse and oblique abdominal muscles were less active with the belt. In ASLR, there was more activity of the contralateral m. biceps femoris, and in treadmill walking of the m. gluteus maximus in conditions with a belt. For our interpretation, we take our starting point in the fact that hip flexors exert a forward rotating torque on the ilium. Apparently, the abdominal wall was active to prevent such forward rotation. If transverse and oblique abdominal muscles press the ilia against the sacrum (Snijders' "force closure"), the pelvis may move as one unit in the sagittal plane, and also contralateral hip extensor activity will stabilize the ipsilateral ilium. The fact that transverse and oblique abdominal muscles were less active in conditions with a pelvic belt suggests that the belt provides such "force closure", thus confirming Snijders' theory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai Hu
- Research Institute MOVE, Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, Van der Boechorststraat 9, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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