PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (S ) : Lawrence F. Dietlein, and Rita M. Rapp 



EXPERIMENT TITLE/NUMBER : Inflight Exercise and Work Tolerance, M003 



PROGRAM/MISSION : Gemini 4, 5, 7 



CLASSIFICATION : Human 



DISCIPLINE(S) : Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Behavioral science 



OBJECTIVES : The day-to-day evaluation of the general physical condition of 

 the crewmembers during long-duration space flight. The basis of this 

 evaluation was the response of the cardiovascular system to a calibrated 

 workload . 



PROTOCOL : Exercise methods with the exercise device lasted for 30 seconds 

 during which time the astronaut stretched the bungee cords through a full 

 extension once per second. Exercise periods were scheduled twice daily for 

 each crewmember. Blood pressure measurements were obtained before and after 

 each exercise period. 



EQUIPMENT : A pair of rubber bungee cords attached to a nylon handle at one 

 end and to a nylon foot strap at the other, magnetic tape recorder, and 

 phonocardiographic system. 



RESULTS : Inflight and postflight measurements were not significantly 

 different. Postflight evaluation showed oxygen consumption and systolic blood 

 pressure reduced. Diastolic blood pressure and pulse pressure were increased. 

 Little change in heart rate response was found. 



CONCLUSIONS : The response of tne cardiovascular system to a calibrated 

 workload is relatively constant for an individual during flight. The 

 crewmembers are able to perform mild-to-moderate amounts of work under the 

 conditions of space flight. No decrement in the physical condition of the 

 crew was apparent. 



PUBLICATIONS : 161, 164, 1 65 , 460 



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