Isometric force production during changed-Gz episodes of parabolic flight

Changes of the normal gravitational acceleration are known to affect sensorimotor performance. For example, subjects exposed to three times the normal terrestrial acceleration (+3 Gz) in a centrifuge will produce exaggerated isometric force. The present study compares the effects of high-Gz to that of micro-Gz on isometric force production. Twelve right-handed human subjects were tested during the microgravity (micro-Gz), high gravity (high-Gz) and normal gravity (normal-Gz) episodes of parabolic flight. Holding an isometric joystick in their right hand, they produced forces of 5, 15, or 25 N in different directions, according to visually prescribed vectors. In some parabolas, 70 Hz vibration was applied to the flexor- and extensor-side of the wrist, in order to reduce spinal segmental activity. If compared to normal-Gz, produced forces were higher in high-Gz, and still higher in micro-Gz. Vibration reduced the magnitude of produced forces independent of the Gz-level. We confirm that isometric force increases in high-Gz, and document that it increases in micro-Gz as well. This increase is probably not related to degraded segmental excitability and proprioception, since it was not modified by vibration and manifests before proprioception becomes effective.