Effect of vestibular stimulation on cardiovascular function during short-arm centrifugation

AIM To observe the effect of vestibular stimulation by head movement on cardiovascular functions during short-arm centrifugation. METHODSNine subjects were exposed to short-arm centrifuge of 2 Gz at feet level for 10 min with head still and intermittent separate head-turns. Heart rate, blood pressure and heart rate variability (HRV) were measured and vestibular function was evaluated during exposure. RESULTSCompared to those pre-exposure, heart rate, diastolic pressure, low frequency of HRV and the ratio of low frequency to high frequency (LH/HF) decreased significantly in subjects with head-turns during short-arm centrifugation. Diastolic pressure was significantly higher, whereas LH/HF had a tendency to increase in the subjects with head-turns compared with those in the subjects with head still during short-arm centrifugation. CONCLUSIONShort-arm centrifugation combined with vestibular stimulation enhances the excitability of cardiac sympathetic nerves and promotes cardiovascular functions, thus improving training efficiency.