the Toulouse space clinic is looking for volunteers
Remain lying at less than 6 degrees of inclination for two months to advance scientific knowledge. This is the object of the call for applications published on January 16 by the Institute of Medicine and Space Physiology (MEDES) located in Toulouse on the site of the University Hospital of Rangueil. The study, compensated up to 18,000 euros paid over 4 years up to 4,500 euros per year, is carried out under the aegis of the French and European space agencies, ESA and CNES. It must take place between April 4 and July 7, 2023, i.e. a duration of 88 days in total.
This type of study, also called “bed rest”, should make it possible to simulate the effects of microgravity on the ground in order to prepare for future space flights. “The main objective of the research is to study in men in good health the mechanisms of adaptation to 60 days of simulated microgravity and to evaluate the effects of two means of prevention (called countermeasures) on this adaptation” , explains the site of the space clinic. Participants will be kept in anti-orthostatic bed rest at less than 6 degrees, the feet slightly above the head, a position which corresponds to what the body of an astronaut experiences in a situation of microgravity. This induces in particular a migration of body fluids to the upper part of the body, explains MEDES.
A study reserved for men aged 20 to 45
To do this, the institute recruits male volunteers (because this type of study is done on a single gender at a time), aged 20 to 45, responding to a number of prerequisites, namely the fact of being a non-smoker, of not being under medical treatment, of having a body mass index between 20 and 27 kg/m2, of measuring between 1.58m and 1.90m, of practicing a regular sports activity and not to have any allergies or food restrictions. The selection will be done in several stages after two telephone interviews, medical and psychological selection then centrifuge test on site.
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Future recruits will be randomly divided into three groups. The first will be dedicated to countermeasures with artificial gravity in a centrifuge combined with recumbent ergometer exercises. The second will be countermeasured with exercises on a recumbent ergometer. And the third will be a simple control group, without countermeasures. “The first 14 days will allow the basic measurements to be taken, then 60 days of bed rest will follow and the last 14 days will be dedicated to the collection of post bed rest measurements and recovery”, explains the MEDES.
During the study, participants could stay in contact with their loved ones, but could not receive them on site. It will also be possible to continue working as far as possible.only if the daily schedule allows it because it will not be possible to postpone a test for a personal or professional reason during the study.