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The age-related decline in muscle function, particularly muscle power, is associated with increased risk of important clinical outcomes. Physical activity is an important determinant of muscle function, and different types of physical activity e.g. power-based versus endurance-based exercise appear to have differential effects on muscle power. Cross-sectional studies suggest that participation in power-based exercise is associated with greater muscle power across adulthood but this has not been investigated longitudinally. We recruited eighty-nine male and female power and endurance master athletes (sprint and distance runners respectively, baseline age 35–90y). Using jumping mechanography, we measured lower limb muscle function during a vertical jump including at least two testing sessions longitudinally over 4.5 ± 2.4y. We examined effects of time, discipline (power/endurance) and sex in addition to two- and three-way interactions using linear mixed-effects models. Peak relative power, relative force and jump height, but not Esslingen Fitness Index (indicating peak power relative to sex and age-matched reference data) declined with time. Peak power, force, height and EFI were greater in power than endurance athletes. There were no sex, discipline or sex*discipline interactions with time for any variable, suggesting that changes were similar over time for athletes of both sexes and disciplines. Advantages in lower limb muscle function in power athletes were maintained with time, in line with previous cross-sectional studies. These results suggest that improvements in lower limb function in less active older individuals following power-based training persist with continued adherence, although this requires further investigation in interventional studies.

New Findings: What is the central question of this study? Do females and males exhibit a similar sarcopenic response as a consequence of normoxic and hypoxic bed rest? What is the main finding and its importance? During 10-day bed rest, exposure to a simulated (normobaric hypoxia) altitude of ∼4000 m does not exert additional significant structural or functional effect on the weight-bearing muscles in females compared to those noted under normoxic conditions. Whereas males and females exhibit decrements in muscle cross-sectional area and mass during normoxic and hypoxic bed rest, a concomitant strength decrement was only observed in males. Abstract: This study investigated the effects of hypoxia on the known processes of adaptation of body composition and muscle function to normoxic inactivity. Females (n = 12) and males (n = 11) took part in the following interventions: hypoxic ambulation (HAMB; ∼4000 m); hypoxic bed rest (HBR; ∼4000 m) and normoxic bed rest (NBR). Prior to and immediately following each intervention, body composition, thigh and lower leg cross-sectional area (CSA) and isometric muscular strength were recorded. Participants lost body mass (HAMB: male −1.5 ± 0.9 kg, female −1.9 ± 0.7 kg; HBR: male −2.0 ± 1.8 kg, female −2.4 ± 0.8 kg; NBR: male −1.4 ± 1.3 kg, female −1.4 ± 0.9 kg) and lean mass (HAMB: male −3.9 ± 3.0%, female −3.4 ± 2.0%; HBR: male −4.0 ± 4.4%, female −4.1 ± 2.0%; NBR: male −4.0 ± 3.4%, female −2.2 ± 2.7%) with no between-condition or sex differences. Knee extension decreased for males in NBR compared to HAMB (HAMB: male −0.2 ± 9.1%, female 1.3 ± 4.9%; HBR: male −7.8 ± 10.3%, female −3.3 ± 10.9%; NBR: male −14.5 ± 11%, female −3.4 ± 6.9%). Loss of force during maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) in the knee extensors was significantly different between males and females following NBR. There were no other significant changes noted following the experimental interventions. There were no differences recorded between sexes in maximal MVC, QC 20201117

Poor musculoskeletal state is commonly observed in numerous clinical populations such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure patients. It, however, remains unresolved whether systemic hypoxemia, typically associated with such clinical conditions, directly contributes to muscle deterioration. We aimed to experimentally elucidate the effects of systemic environmental hypoxia upon inactivity-related muscle wasting. For this purpose, fourteen healthy, male participants underwent three 21-day long interventions in a randomized, cross-over designed manner: (i) bed rest in normoxia (NBR; PiO2 = 133.1 ± 0.3 mmHg), (ii) bed rest in normobaric hypoxia (HBR; PiO2 = 90.0 ± 0.4 mmHg) and ambulatory confinement in normobaric hypoxia (HAmb; PiO2 = 90.0 ± 0.4 mmHg). Peripheral quantitative computed tomography and vastus lateralis muscle biopsies were performed before and after the interventions to obtain thigh and calf muscle cross-sectional areas and muscle fiber phenotype changes, respectively. A significant reduction of thigh muscle size following NBR (-6.9%, SE 0.8%; P < 0.001) was further aggravated following HBR (-9.7%, SE 1.2%; P = 0.027). Bed rest-induced muscle wasting in the calf was, by contrast, not exacerbated by hypoxic conditions (P = 0.47). Reductions in both thigh (-2.7%, SE 1.1%, P = 0.017) and calf (-3.3%, SE 0.7%, P < 0.001) muscle size were noted following HAmb. A significant and comparable increase in type 2× fiber percentage of the vastus lateralis muscle was noted following both bed rest interventions (NBR = +3.1%, SE 2.6%, HBR = +3.9%, SE 2.7%, P < 0.05). Collectively, these data indicate that hypoxia can exacerbate inactivity-related muscle wasting in healthy active participants and moreover suggest that the combination of both, hypoxemia and lack of activity, as seen in COPD patients, might be particularly harmful for muscle tissue., QC 20180601

Previous research, although limited, suggests that both hypoxia and bed rest influence psychological responses by exaggerating negative psychological responses and attenuating positive emotions. The present study investigated the effect of a 21-day prolonged exposure to normobaric hypoxia and bed rest on affective responses and fatigue. Eleven healthy participants underwent three 21-day interventions using a cross-over design: (1) normobaric hypoxic ambulatory confinement (HAMB), (2) normobaric hypoxic bed rest (HBR) and (3) normoxic bed rest (NBR). Affective and fatigue responses were investigated using the Activation Deactivation Adjective Check List, and the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, which were completed before (Pre), during (Day 7, Day 14, and Day 21) and after (Post) the interventions. The most negative psychological profile appeared during the HBR intervention. Specifically, tiredness, tension, general and physical fatigue significantly increased on days 7, 14, and 21, as well as at Post. After the HBR intervention, general and physical fatigue remained higher compared to Pre values. Additionally, a deterioration of psychological responses was also noted following HAMB and NBR. In particular, both hypoxia and BR per se induced subjective fatigue and negative affective responses. BR seems to exert a moderate negative effect on the sensation of fatigue, whereas exercise attenuates the negative effects of hypoxia as noted during the HAMB condition. In conclusion, our data suggest that the addition of hypoxia to bed rest-induced inactivity significantly worsens affective responses and feeling of fatigue., Export Date: 9 May 2018; Article; Correspondence Address: Mekjavic, I.B.; Department for Automation, Biocybernetics and Robotics, Jozef Stefan InstituteSlovenia; email: igor.mekjavic@ijs.si. QC 20180530

Adenosine plays a role in the energy supply of cells and provokes differential, hormone-like functions in circulating cells and various tissues. Its release is importantly regulated by oxygen tension. This renders adenosine and its kinetics interesting to investigate in humans subjected to low oxygen conditions. Especially for space exploration scenarios, hypoxic conditions - together with reduced gravity - represent two foreseen living conditions when planning manned long-duration space missions or planetary habitats. The PlanHab study investigated microgravity through inactivity in bed rest and normobaric hypoxia to examine their independent or combined effect on adenosine and its kinetics. Healthy male subjects (n = 14) completed three 21-day interventions: hypoxic bed rest (HBR); hypoxic ambulatory confinement (HAMB); normoxic bed rest (NBR). The interventions were separated by 4 months. Our hypothesis of a hypoxia-triggered increase in adenosine was confirmed in HAMB but unexpectedly also in NBR. However, the highest adenosine levels were noted following HBR. Furthermore, the percentage of hemolysis was elevated in HBR whereas endothelial integrity markers stayed low in all three interventions. In summary, these data suggest that neocytolysis accounts for these effects while we could reduce evidence for microcirculatory changes., QC 20180223

Objective: Despite over 50 years of research on the physiological effects of sustained bed rest, data characterizing its effects on sleep macrostructure and breathing stability in humans are scarce. This study was conducted to determine the effects of continuous exposure to hypoxia and sustained best rest, both individually and combined, on nocturnal sleep and breathing stability. Methods: Eleven participants completed three randomized, counter-balanced, 21-days trials of: (1) normoxic bed rest (NBR, PIO2 = 133.1 ± 0.3), (2) hypoxic ambulatory confinement (HAMB, PIO2 = 90.0 ± 0.4) and (3) hypoxic bed rest (HBR, PIO2 = 90.0 ± 0.4; ~4,000 m equivalent altitude). Full objective polysomnography was performed at baseline, on Night 1 and Night 21 in each condition. Results: In NBR Night 1, more time was spent in light sleep (10 ± 2%) compared to baseline (8 ± 2%; p = 0.028); Slow-wave sleep (SWS) was reduced from baseline in the hypoxic-only trial by 18% (HAMB Night 21, p = 0.028) and further reduced by 33% (HBR Night 1, p = 0.010), and 36% (HBR Night 21, p = 0.008) when combined with bed rest. The apnea-hypopnea index doubled from Night 1 to Night 21 in HBR (32-62 events·h-1) and HAMB (31-59 events·h-1; p = 0.002). Those who experienced greatest breathing instability from Night 1 to Night 21 (NBR) were correlated to unchanged or higher (+1%) night SpO2 concentrations (R2 = 0.471, p = 0.020). Conclusion: Bed rest negatively affects sleep macrostructure, increases the apnea-hypopnea index, and worsens breathing stability, each independently exacerbated by continuous exposure to hypoxia., Not duplicate with DiVA 1255377QC 20230202

QC 20181012

Environmental hypoxia and inactivity have both been shown to modulate appetite. To elucidate the independent and combined effects of hypoxia and bed rest-induced inactivity on appetite-related hormones and subjective appetite, eleven healthy, non-obese males underwent three experimental interventions in a cross-over and randomized fashion: 1) Hypoxic confinement combined with daily moderate-intensity exercise (HAMB, FiO2 = 0.141 ± 0.004; PiO2 = 90.0 ± 0.4 mmHg) 2) Bed rest in normoxia (NBR, FiO2 = 0.209; PiO2 = 133.1 ± 0.3 mmHg) and 3) Bed rest in hypoxia (HBR, FiO2 = 0.141 ± 0.004; PiO2 = 90.0 ± 0.4 mmHg). A mixed-meal tolerance test (MTT), followed by an ad libitum meal were performed before (Pre) and after 16-days (Post) of each intervention. Composite satiety scores (CSS) during the MTT were calculated from visual analogue scores, while fasting and postprandial concentrations of total ghrelin, peptide YY (PYY), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and leptin were quantified from arterialized-venous samples. Postprandial CSS were significantly lower at Post compared to Pre in NBR only (P < 0.05) with no differences observed in ad libitum meal intakes. Postprandial concentrations and incremental area under the curve (AUC) for total ghrelin and PYY were unchanged following all interventions. Postprandial GLP-1 concentrations were only reduced at Post following HBR (P < 0.05) with resulting AUC changes being significantly lower compared to HAMB (P < 0.01). Fasting leptin was reduced following HAMB (P < 0.05) with no changes observed following NBR and HBR. These findings suggest that independently, 16-day of simulated altitude exposure (∼4000 m) and bed rest-induced inactivity do not significantly alter subjective appetite or ad libitum intakes. The measured appetite-related hormones following both HAMB and HBR point to a situation of hypoxia-induced appetite stimulation, although this did not reflect in higher ad libitum intakes. Clinical Tria, QC 20161202

QC 20190225

QC 20161129

PURPOSE. To assess the separate and combined effects of exposure to prolonged and sustained recumbency (bed rest) and hypoxia on retinal microcirculation. METHODS. Eleven healthy male subjects (mean 6 SD age = 27 ± 6 years; body mass index [BMI] = 23.7 ± 3.0 kg m-2) participated in a repeated-measures crossover design study comprising three 21-day interventions: normoxic bed rest (NBR; partial pressure of inspired O2, PiO2 = 133.1 ± 0.3 mm Hg); hypoxic ambulation (HAMB; PiO2 = 90.0 6 0.4 mm Hg), and hypoxic bed rest (HBR; PiO2 = 90.0 ± 0.4 mm Hg). Central retinal arteriolar (CRAE) and venular (CRVE) equivalents were measured at baseline and at regular intervals during each 21- day intervention. RESULTS. Normoxic bed rest caused a progressive reduction in CRAE, with the change in CRAE relative to baseline being highest on day 15 (ΔDCRAE = -7.5 µm; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -10.8 to -4.2; P < 0.0001). Hypoxic ambulation resulted in a persistent 21-day increase in CRAE, reaching a maximum on day 4 (DCRAE = 9.4 µm; 95% CI: 6.0-12.7; P < 0.0001). During HBR, the increase in CRAE was highest on day 3 (ΔDCRAE = 4.5 µm; 95% CI: 1.2-7.8; P = 0.007), but CRAE returned to baseline levels thereafter. Central retinal venular equivalent decreased during NBR and increased during HAMB and HBR. The reduction in CRVE during NBR was highest on day 1 (ΔDCRVE = -7.9 µm; 95 CI: -13.3 to -2.5), and the maximum ΔDCRVE during HAMB (24.6 µm; 95% CI: 18.9-30.3) and HBR (15.2 µm; 95% CI: 9.8-20.5) was observed on days 10 and 3, respectively. CONCLUSIONS. The diameters of retinal blood vessels exhibited a dynamic response to hypoxia and bed rest, such that retinal vasodilation was smaller during combined bed rest and hypoxia than during hypoxic exposure., QC 20161201

The purpose was to investigate acute effects of normobaric hypoxia on hand-temperature responses during and after a cold-water hand immersion test. Fifteen males performed two right-hand immersion tests in 8 degrees C water, during which they were inspiring either room air (Fio(2): 0.21; AIR), or a hypoxic gas mixture (Fio(2): 0.14; HYPO). The tests were conducted in a counterbalanced order and separated by a 1-hour interval. Throughout the 30-min cold-water immersion (CWI) and the 15-min spontaneous rewarming (RW) phases, finger-skin temperatures were measured continuously with thermocouple probes; infrared thermography was also employed during the RW phase to map all segments of the hand. During the CWI phase, the average skin temperature (Tavg) of the fingers did not differ between the conditions (AIR: 10.2 +/- 0.5 degrees C, HYPO: 10.0 +/- 0.5 degrees C; p = 0.67). However, Tavg was lower in the HYPO than the AIR RW phase (AIR: 24.5 +/- 3.4 degrees C; HYPO: 22.0 +/- 3.8 degrees C; p = 0.002); a response that was alike in all regions of the immersed hand. Accordingly, present findings suggest that acute exposure to normobaric hypoxia does not aggravate the cold-induced drop in hand temperature of normothermic males. Still, hypoxia markedly impairs the rewarming responses of the hand., QC 20140808

QC 20150331

QC 20140320

Future planetary habitats may expose astronauts to both microgravity and hypobaric hypoxia, both inducing a reduction in peripheral perfusion. Peripheral temperature changes have been linked to sleep onset and quality [5]. However, it is still unknown what effect combining hypoxia and bedrest has on this relationship. Eleven male participants underwent three 10-day campaigns in a randomized manner: 1) normobaric hypoxic ambulatory confinement (HAmb); 2) normobaric hypoxic bed rest (HBR); 3) normobaric normoxic bed rest (NBR). There was no change in skin temperature gradient between the calf and toes, an index of peripheral perfusion (ΔTc-t), over the 10-d period in the HAmb trial. However, there was a significant increase (p< 0.001) in daytime (9am-9pm) ΔTc-t on day 10 of the inactivity/unloading periods (HBR and NBR trials). This reduction in the perfusion of the toes during the daytime was augmented during the HBR trial compared to NBR (p< 0.001). Before and on day 10 of the interventions we conducted polysomnographic assessment, which revealed no changes in sleep onset and/or architecture. These data support the theory that circadian changes in temperature are functionally linked to sleepiness [1]., QC 20140326