PHYSIOLOGIC EFFECTS OF A HYPODYNAMIC ENVIRONMENT SHORT TERM STUDIES

By a technique involving complete immersion in water, a hypodynamic situation was produced in which normal weight sensations were altered and movement was relatively effortless. Four subjects were evaluated after 6, 12, and 24 hours of this environment. Tilt table, centrifuge, and heat chamber studies demonstrated significant cardiovascular deterioration even after the 6- hour runs, becoming more severe with the 12- and 24-hour experiments. Pertinent psychomotor evaluations, anthropometric measures, and urine and blood studies also were done. The results of this study indicate that the cardiovascular adaptation to a hypodynamic environment of this type occurs early and the deterioration from even a 6-hour exposure is apparent.