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Biomedical subjects

J D Grissett

Publications and source records attributed to J D Grissett.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

The effect of varying time at -Gz on subsequent +Gz physiological tolerance (push-pull effect).

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies have demonstrated decreased +Gz tolerance when preceded by 0 Gz or -Gz, referred to as the "push-pull effect." The purpose of this experiment was to observe the effect of varying time duration at -Gz on the push-pull effect. METHODS: During single sessions, six subjects (three men, three women) were subjected to five relaxed exposures to +2.25 Gz on the NAMRL Coriolis Acceleration Platform (CAP). The first and last exposures were control runs that were preceded by +1 Gz. Each experimental run was preceded by -2 Gz for 2, 5, or 15 s. Blood pressure (BP) was monitored using the Finapres at the level of the clavicle. Visual light loss was assessed at +2.25 Gz using a light bar. RESULTS: Mean BP was significantly reduced when the +2.25 Gz exposures were preceded by -2 Gz. Following 15 s of -2 Gz, mean BP decreased more and was slower to recover than for 2 and 5 s of -2 Gz. Reported incidents of visual light loss were: 1 following 2 s, 2 following 5 s, and 4 following 15 s at -2 Gz. There were no reports of visual light loss during control runs. CONCLUSION: During relaxed conditions, the push-pull effect is augmented by increasing duration of the preceding -Gz.

Adult

The "push-pull effect".

The purpose of this study was to prove or refute previous authors' suggestions that tolerance to +Gz is reduced when preceded by 0 Gz or -Gz. Six men and six women were subjected to one session of acceleration stresses that varied between -2 and +2.25 Gz on the NAMRL Coriolis Acceleration Platform (CAP). At the beginning and end of each session, we exposed the relaxed subjects to identical control segments that were comprised of +1 Gz for 30 s, followed by +2.25 Gz for 15 s, and then return to +1 Gz. Subjects were also exposed to three experimental segments that were comprised of 0, -1, or -2 Gz for 10 s, followed by +2.25 Gz for 15 s, and then return to +1 Gz. Subjects verbally reported any decrements in peripheral vision during exposure to +2.25 Gz. Blood pressure (BP) was reduced during each 15-s period at +2.25 Gz. The minimum BP was progressively lower during the 15-s period as the preexposure experimental conditions became more negative (+1, 0, -1, and -2 Gz). Episodes of peripheral vision loss increased as the preceding -Gz became more negative. BP during exposure to +Gz was significantly affected by the preceding 10-s exposure to -Gz, and is indicative of reduced +Gz tolerance. As this "push-pull effect" may result in unexpected incapacitation, it has important implications for aviation safety.

Acceleration

Aerobic fitness and susceptibility to motion sickness.

Susceptibility to motion sickness was evaluated in 29 males having high, moderate, and low levels of aerobic fitness. Subjects underwent Coriolis (cross-coupled) vestibular stimulation on a Stille-Werner rotator during a 10 min modification of the Brief Vestibular Disorientation Test (BVDT). Variables evaluated were: spin time before aborting (ST), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), mean skin temperature (Tsk), subject observation values (SV), and observation values (OV). Aerobic fitness and ST for the total population were inversely related (r = -0.506, p less than 0.01). Difference in ST was significant (F(2.26) = 6.67, p less than 0.01), with the high aerobic group demonstrating an earlier ST and greater SV than the low aerobic group (Student-Newman-Keuls; alpha = 0.05). Analysis of HR, RR, and Tsk between groups revealed limited differences. Based on these data, men with high aerobic fitness appear to have an increased susceptibility to motion sickness.

Heart Rate

Selection and pairing of 'normal' rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) for research: procedures, techniques, and observations.

A selection process has been developed by the authors to insure investigators that animal subjects used in their experiments will accurately reflect biological changes associated with the project design. The procedure involved the following: complete physical examination; complete hemogram, serum electrolytes, serum biochemistry, body weight; and anthropometric determinations; aging by dentition; electrocardiography; total-body radiography; fecal culture; fecal ova, and parasite examinations; and examination of other conditions. Arithmetic means and standard deviations were calculated and used to eliminate monkeys whose values varied from the mean by more than two standard deviations.

Animals