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TEACHING WITH TECHNOLOGY

Construction of a lower body negative pressure chamber

Cardiovascular Physiology and Rehabilitation Laboratory, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: D. E. R. Warburton, Rm. 205, Unit II Osborne Centre, Cardiovascular Physiology and Rehabilitation Laboratory, 6108 Thunderbird Blvd., Univ. of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z3 (e-mail: darren.warburton{at}ubc.ca)

Abstract

Lower body negative pressure (LBNP) is an established and important technique used to physiologically stress the human body, particularly the cardiovascular system. LBNP is most often used to simulate gravitational stress, but it has also been used to simulate hemorrhage, alter preload, and manipulate baroreceptors. During experimentation, the consequences of LBNP and the reflex increases in heart rate and blood pressure can be manipulated and observed in a well-controlled manner, thus making LBNP an important research tool. Numerous laboratories have developed LBNP devices for use in research settings, and a few devices are commercially available. However, it is often difficult for new users to find adequately described design plans. Furthermore, many available plans require sophisticated and expensive materials and/or technical support. Therefore, we have created an affordable design plan for a LBNP chamber. The purpose of this article was to share our design template with others. In particular, we hope that this information will be of use in academic and research settings. Our pressure chamber has been stress tested to 100 mmHg below atmospheric pressure and has been used successfully to test orthostatic tolerance and physiological responses to –50 mmHg.

Key words: orthostatic stress; cardiovascular stress