Pelvic blood pooling of men and women during lower body negative pressure.

White DD, Montgomery LD.
Aviat Space Environ Med 1996; 67:555-9.

Abstract

Introduction: The objective of this study was to investigate possible gender differences in the hemodynamic responses of the lower body during lower body negative pressure (LBNP). Methods: In this study, 17 women (mean age = 56 yrs) and 15 men (mean age = 55 yrs) underwent a 15 min exposure to -50 mm Hg LBNP. A Beckman (BR-100) impedance Plethysmograph was used to measure each subjects leg and pelvic blood flow and pooling during the LBNP test. Results: The women had an 83% greater increase in blood volume in the pelvic region than men as a result of the LBNP exposure. Women and men had similar increases in the leg blood volume as a result of the 15 min exposure to - 50mm Hg LBNP. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that women have greater blood pooling in the pelvic region compared to men when exposed to - 50 mm Hg LBNP. These results should be considered when designing life support equipment for men and women pilots and astronauts, especially the designing of anti-G and Space Shuttle re-entry garments.

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Table of Contents for Volume 67, Number 6 of the ASEM journal.