Microgravity and Hypergravity Induced by Parabolic Flight Differently Affect Lumbar Spinal Stiffness

Swanenburg, Jaap; Langenfeld, Anke; Easthope, Christopher A; Meier, Michael L; Ullrich, Oliver; Schweinhardt, Petra

doi:10.3389/fphys.2020.562557

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Swanenburg, J., Langenfeld, A., Easthope, C. A., Meier, M. L., Ullrich, O., & Schweinhardt, P. (2020). Microgravity and Hypergravity Induced by Parabolic Flight Differently Affect Lumbar Spinal Stiffness. Frontiers in Physiology, 11, 562557. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2020.562557

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 measur