The Effects of Resistance Exercise on Intracranial Pressure

Abstract

IntroductionOne of the primary health concerns faced by NASA astronauts on board the International Space Station is a decline in visual acuity. It is believed that increases in intracranial pressure (ICP) due to resistive exercise performed on the station's Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) may contribute to Spaceflight Associated Neuro‐Ocular Syndrome (SANS), also referred to as the Visual Impairment and Intracranial Pressure (VIIP) syndrome. In a manner similar to low level Valsalva exertion, it is hypothesized that ICP would increase during low level resistance exercise.MethodsSix healthy subjects (4 male, 2 female, age: 27 ± 10 years, weight: 77 ± 15 kg) were recruited to perform low‐level resistance exercises in both the seated and supine positions. A Cerebral Cochlear Fluid Pressure analyzer (CCFP) was used to noninvasively measure ICP by assessing tympanic membrane displacement (Vm) in the inner ear following an auditory stimulus. Increased values of Vm correspond to a decrease in ICP. After a 10‐minute acclimation period, a baseline measurement was taken with the subject at rest in the seated position. ICP was then measured during randomized, isometric, overhead shoulder holds with weights of 0lbs, 2lbs, and 5lbs (per hand). This procedure was then repeated in the supine position. ICP was also measured in the 15‐degree head down tilt (HDT) position following a 10‐minute acclimation period. Significant differences between groups were determined at p<0.05 using a Student's T‐test.ResultsThe relative changes in Vm with increased loading by position are shown in Figure 1. Vm decreased by 40% ± 15% (p=0.001) in the HDT position as compared to the supine baseline, showing a predicted, reliable increase in ICP for positional changes. In the seated position, displacement increased slightly from baseline (12% ± 63%, p=0.412) for all subjects across all weight levels, indicating a statistically nonsignificant decrease in ICP. Measurements in the supine position were more consistent, with decreasing Vm (3% ± 3%, p=0.563) for all subjects across all weight levels, indicating a nonsignificant increase in ICP.DiscussionContrary to our hypothesis, measured data showed no significant change in ICP during low level resistance exercise in either the seated or supine positions. Based on these results, resistance exercise may not be the primary contributing factor to the development of SANS in astronauts. This study will form the basis of future investigation into the effects of exercise and ICP in different such as gender, age, and clinical populations. Sensitivity of the CCFP to motion and pulse artifacts will also be addressed to reduce variability between subjects.Support or Funding InformationSupported by NASA grant NNX13AJ12GThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.