Increasing seated reaction forces with lower body negative pressure

Abstract This study evaluates ground reaction forces and cardiovascular responses during seated lower body negative pressure (LBNP). Ten healthy subjects were exposed to randomized LBNP levels (−10 to −40 mmHg) while seated in a sealed chamber. Gluteal, foot, and total reaction forces, along with he...

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Main Authors: Suhas Rao Velichala, Jonathan Kim, Alan R. Hargens
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-08-01
Series:npj Microgravity
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41526-025-00512-w
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author Suhas Rao Velichala
Jonathan Kim
Alan R. Hargens
author_facet Suhas Rao Velichala
Jonathan Kim
Alan R. Hargens
author_sort Suhas Rao Velichala
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study evaluates ground reaction forces and cardiovascular responses during seated lower body negative pressure (LBNP). Ten healthy subjects were exposed to randomized LBNP levels (−10 to −40 mmHg) while seated in a sealed chamber. Gluteal, foot, and total reaction forces, along with heart rate and blood pressure, were measured at each level. Reaction forces increased significantly with rising LBNP (P < 0.05), exceeding baseline at 10 mmHg and doubling by 30 mmHg. Cardiovascular parameters remained stable, indicating no acute hemodynamic risk. Force generation was dependent on LBNP amplitude and waist cross-sectional area. These findings suggest that seated LBNP is a safe and effective method to simulate Earth-like seated posture in microgravity, offering a promising countermeasure to mitigate musculoskeletal deconditioning and support gravitational adaptation during long-duration spaceflight.
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series npj Microgravity
spelling doaj-art-52a348e16433402aaa36d8e2a55f9d8f2025-08-20T04:03:06ZengNature Portfolionpj Microgravity2373-80652025-08-011111510.1038/s41526-025-00512-wIncreasing seated reaction forces with lower body negative pressureSuhas Rao Velichala0Jonathan Kim1Alan R. Hargens2Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San DiegoWestern University of Health SciencesDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San DiegoAbstract This study evaluates ground reaction forces and cardiovascular responses during seated lower body negative pressure (LBNP). Ten healthy subjects were exposed to randomized LBNP levels (−10 to −40 mmHg) while seated in a sealed chamber. Gluteal, foot, and total reaction forces, along with heart rate and blood pressure, were measured at each level. Reaction forces increased significantly with rising LBNP (P < 0.05), exceeding baseline at 10 mmHg and doubling by 30 mmHg. Cardiovascular parameters remained stable, indicating no acute hemodynamic risk. Force generation was dependent on LBNP amplitude and waist cross-sectional area. These findings suggest that seated LBNP is a safe and effective method to simulate Earth-like seated posture in microgravity, offering a promising countermeasure to mitigate musculoskeletal deconditioning and support gravitational adaptation during long-duration spaceflight.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41526-025-00512-w
spellingShingle Suhas Rao Velichala
Jonathan Kim
Alan R. Hargens
Increasing seated reaction forces with lower body negative pressure
npj Microgravity
title Increasing seated reaction forces with lower body negative pressure
title_full Increasing seated reaction forces with lower body negative pressure
title_fullStr Increasing seated reaction forces with lower body negative pressure
title_full_unstemmed Increasing seated reaction forces with lower body negative pressure
title_short Increasing seated reaction forces with lower body negative pressure
title_sort increasing seated reaction forces with lower body negative pressure
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41526-025-00512-w
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AT jonathankim increasingseatedreactionforceswithlowerbodynegativepressure
AT alanrhargens increasingseatedreactionforceswithlowerbodynegativepressure