biology and biotechnology

EVALUATION OF MAXIMAL OXYGEN UPTAKE AND SUBMAXIMAL ESTIMATES OF

VO2MAX BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER LONG DURATION INTERNATIONAL SPACE

STATION MISSIONS (VO2MAX)
Research Area: Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems
Expeditions: 19-ongoing
Principal Investigator(s): ● Alan D. Moore Jr, PhD, Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

Evaluation of Maximal Oxygen Uptake and

Submaximal Estimates of VO2max Before,

During, and After Long Duration International

Space Station Missions (VO2max) documents

changes in maximum oxygen uptake for crew

members aboard the International Space Station

(ISS) during long-duration missions.

EARTH BENEFITS

The data obtained from this study provides

valuable insight into the aerobic capacity of

teams in closed environments on Earth such as

arctic bases and submarines.

SPACE BENEFITS
The results from this experiment provide NASA and the ISS
International Partners definitive data to determine if submaximal
exercise testing provides an accurate assessment of aerobic
capacity during and following long-duration spaceflight.

RESULTS
VO2max declines very early upon arrival to microgravity and
slowly recovers during flight, but the mean change for all subjects
tested does not recover to preflight levels. The mean change in
VO2max on R+1 is -14%. This is not significantly different than that
observed during the last flight test. A substantial amount of
variability exists between subjects in their responses during flight.
Apparently, submaximal estimates of VO2max do not reliably
track change in actual VO2max. Analysis of data from PFE-OUM is
ongoing, conclusive results will be published upon completion of
data analysis.

PUBLICATION(S)
Moore Jr AD, Lynn PA, Feiveson AH. The first 10 years of aerobic
exercise responses to long-duration ISS flights. Aerospace

ISS026E029180 (February 24, 2011) – NASA

astronaut Catherine (Cady) Coleman, Expedition

26 flight engineer, performs VO2max portable

Pulmonary Function System (PFS) software

calibrations and instrument check while using the

ISS030E007540 – View of

astronaut Dan Burbank,

Expedition 30 commander,

using the Portable Pulmonary

Function System (PPFS)

hardware while exercising on

the Cycle Ergometer with

Vibration Isolation and

Stabilization (CEVIS) in the

U.S. Laboratory.