Purpose of this Study
This study is about helping astronauts stay safe during moonwalks. When astronauts go to the moon, they wear special suits with lower air pressure, which can cause small bubbles to form in the body. These bubbles can cause a problem called decompression sickness, which may lead to pain or weakness.
To help prevent this, astronauts breathe pure oxygen before their moonwalk. In this study, people will breathe oxygen for about one hour while resting or doing different levels of exercise. After that, they will enter a special room that lowers air pressure to feel like being in a spacesuit. While inside, they will do light exercises and have ultrasound tests to look for bubbles in the body. This part lasts about six hours. The goal is to learn how well oxygen breathing and activity help prevent decompression sickness.
Who Can Participate?
Eligibility
People can join this study if they are healthy men or women between 30 and 60 years old. They must be able to pass a test that checks how well they can exercise on a bike.
People cannot join if they are pregnant, smoke, or use illegal drugs. They also cannot join if they have lung problems, trouble clearing their ears during pressure changes, or take certain medicines for blood pressure, pain, sleep, or brain related conditions.
Age Range
30-60
Sex/Genders
Male (cisgender)
Female (cisgender)
Non-binary or gender fluid
Transgender male
Transgender female
Looking for Healthy Participants
Yes
What is Involved?
Description
6 visits
Screening (includes physical exam, exercise test, altitude test, cardiac ultrasound - 5 hours)
VO2 measures - wear a mask that measures your work level during each exercise simulating the moon walk - 3 hours
Practice session - 4 hours
Study 1 - 9 hours
Study 2 - 9 hours
Study 3 - 9 hours
Locations
Duke University Hospital
Visit Timing
Weekdays
Compensation
Yes
Spanish Materials Available
No
Study Details
Full Title
NASA Exercise Prebreathe Study
Principal Investigator
Richard
Moon
Protocol Number
PRO00120426
NCT ID
NCT07702539
Phase
N/A
Enrollment Status
Pending Open to Enrollment