Latest Academic Works
The integrated impact of artificial gravity and vibration exercise training on muscle structure and function
During space sojourns, astronauts experience musculoskeletal deconditioning caused by the lack of gravity. The adaptation of the musculoskeletal system to inactivity and unloading of the weight-bearing limbs may be countered by daily exercise. However, current exercise devices and strategies employed on the International Space Station (ISS) do not appear to …
Thermal and non-thermal factors affecting regional blood flow regulation
Whilst the interaction of multiple vascular mechanisms under various stressors is a well-documented topic, how this interaction effects the regional regulation of blood flow is less well known. In order to assess this phenomenon, a series of successive studies were conducted: I. Assessing the regional blood flow and haemodynamic response …
Hypoxia in aquatic sports
The present thesis considers the premise that breath-holding in aquatic sports, primarily swimming, in order to enhance performance, can potentially cause adaptation to tissue hypoxia. To investigate this theory, a series of studies needed to be performed: I. Analysis of variability in individuals’ responses to hypoxia, to evaluate the range …
The effect of spaceflight associated factors on the eye
The unexplained aetiology of Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS) jeopardises all planned future missions to the Moon and Mars. Various intrinsic and extrinsic potential risk factors have been proposed to contribute to its manifestation. Specifically, the present thesis compared the effect of static exercise (simulating the exercise performed by astronauts …