Aerospace medicine and human performance
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Aerosp Med Hum Perform · Dec 2015
Case ReportsCervical Manipulation Leading to Cerebellar Stroke in a Pilot.
Stroke is a decidedly devastating event for any patient, but particularly for a military aviator in a single-seat aircraft. Incidence of acute ischemic infarct in men ages 25 to 29 ranges from 3.4 to 5.6/100,000. The neurological sequelae of stroke can have a lasting and profound impact on an aviator's career. Literature review revealed a relatively small number of cases where stroke was attributable to cervical manipulation. ⋯ The ability to recognize the symptoms of stroke and seek treatment in a timely manner are paramount and can drastically reduce the potential for permanent deficit. The evaluation of residual sequelae in military aviators who fly single-seat aircraft is of particular interest to aerospace medicine physicians when it comes time to return a pilot to flight duties. Additionally, the link between cervical manipulation and vertebral artery dissection leading to stroke remains equivocal, and further research is warranted.
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Aerosp Med Hum Perform · Dec 2015
Isokinetic Strength Changes Following Long-Duration Spaceflight on the ISS.
Long-duration spaceflight results in a loss of muscle strength that poses both operational and medical risks, particularly during emergency egress, upon return to Earth, and during future extraterrestrial exploration. Isokinetic testing of the knee, ankle, and trunk quantifies movement-specific strength changes following spaceflight and offers insight into the effectiveness of in-flight exercise countermeasures. ⋯ In-flight resistance exercise did not prevent decreased isokinetic strength after long-duration spaceflight. However, continued utilization of ARED, a more robust resistance exercise device providing higher loads than iRED, may result in greater benefits as exercise prescriptions are optimized. With reconditioning upon return to Earth, strength is largely recovered within 30 d.