In order to study a person as if they were in space without gravity, NASA
scientists use head down tilt bed rest. The 115-119 day study will follow the
Bed Rest Project standard model and be conducted at the University of Texas
Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas. Participants will live in a special
research unit for the entire study and be fed a carefully controlled diet.
During the first 11-15 days of the study participants will be free to move
around inside the bed rest facility and do normal things. They will also take
part in a number of tests to find out the normal state of their bone, muscle,
heart and circulatory system, brain and nervous system, and vestibular (inner
ear balance) system as well as their nutritional condition and their ability to
fight off infections.
After the first 11-15-day period, participants will spend 90 days lying in bed,
(except for limited times for specific tests) with their body slightly tilted
downward (head down, feet up). Every day, they will be awake for 16 hours and
lights out (asleep) for 8 hours. During the bed rest time they will also take
part in a number of tests to find out changes in the state of their bone,
muscle, heart and circulatory system, and nervous system, as well as their
nutritional condition and their ability to fight off infections.
During the final 14 days of the study (called the recovery period), participants
will again be free to move about within the facility. Because of deconditioning
that takes place during bed rest, they will slowly begin normal everyday
activity. During the recovery period, they will again take part in tests of
their bone, muscle, heart and circulatory systems, and nervous systems, as well
as their nutritional condition and their ability to fight off infections.
Participants must be nonsmokers who are in good health with no history of
cardiovascular, neurological, gastrointestinal, or musculoskeletal problems.
Individuals selected for screening will receive a physical examination at no
cost. Once medically qualified, subjects will be compensated for their time
spent for the required psychological assessment and any additional screening.
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