Scientific relevance: The significant reduction of mechanical
stimuli as a consequence of gravitational unloading under
conditions like bed rest, SCI or space flight is considered as a
major source for bone loss
20
. For all of these conditions muscular
unloading is combined with a change of gravity effects.
Exercise interventions as applied for instance in bed rest, that
try to compensate for the extensive reduction of muscle work,
have only been partially efficient to counteract bone loss
17
.
However, these interventions do not consider a potential role
of gravitational acceleration. The investigation of the effects
of the earth attraction force independently from the effects of
muscle contraction forces is a logical complement to previous
studies and the results of such a novel study approach greatly
add to the current knowledge of bone adaptation (Ducos et al.,
in preparation). Moreover, the application of HEPHAISTOS
offers a novel and unique possibility to study the specific effects
of gravitational accelerations upon functional and structural
adaptations of the other investigated organs
22
.
HEPHAISTOS intervention: The intervention with the novel
unloading device was very satisfactory. All eleven subjects
completed the 56 intervention days without serious complications.
Occasionally occurring pressure spots could be successfully
counteracted using cushioning and re-adjusting the elastic
foot of HEPHAISTOS (see Figure 1). The weak point of the
HEPHAISTOS was the anti-slippery sole glued under the carbon
prosthetic foot, which showed signs of premature wear
during the second week of the intervention. However, selection
of a superior material allowed the second sole to outlast the
resting intervention time. Our experiences with the novel device
made us confident enough to further pursue its application
in upcoming clinical trials.
Scientific relevance: The significant reduction of mechanicalstimuli as a consequence of gravitational unloading underconditions like bed rest, SCI or space flight is considered as amajor source for bone loss20. For all of these conditions muscularunloading is combined with a change of gravity effects.Exercise interventions as applied for instance in bed rest, thattry to compensate for the extensive reduction of muscle work,have only been partially efficient to counteract bone loss17.However, these interventions do not consider a potential roleof gravitational acceleration. The investigation of the effectsof the earth attraction force independently from the effects ofmuscle contraction forces is a logical complement to previousstudies and the results of such a novel study approach greatlyadd to the current knowledge of bone adaptation (Ducos et al.,in preparation). Moreover, the application of HEPHAISTOSoffers a novel and unique possibility to study the specific effectsof gravitational accelerations upon functional and structuraladaptations of the other investigated organs22.HEPHAISTOS intervention: The intervention with the novelunloading device was very satisfactory. All eleven subjectscompleted the 56 intervention days without serious complications.Occasionally occurring pressure spots could be successfullycounteracted using cushioning and re-adjusting the elasticfoot of HEPHAISTOS (see Figure 1). The weak point of theHEPHAISTOS was the anti-slippery sole glued under the carbonprosthetic foot, which showed signs of premature wearduring the second week of the intervention. However, selectionof a superior material allowed the second sole to outlast theresting intervention time. Our experiences with the novel devicemade us confident enough to further pursue its applicationin upcoming clinical trials.
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