NASA Exercise Prebreathe Study

This study evaluates oxygen prebreathe protocols and exercise conditions to reduce risk of decompression sickness during simulated extravehicular activity. Healthy adult volunteers will undergo oxygen prebreathe followed by hypobaric chamber exposure with monitoring for symptoms and ultrasound detection of bubbles.

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Key information

Conditions

Decompression Sickness Barotrauma Wounds and Injuries

Age range

30 year–60 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Non-smoking volunteers aged 30-60 years
Able to meet VO2 peak requirements (>35 ml/kg/min males, >30 ml/kg/min females)

Exclusion criteria

Pregnancy
Lung disease, heart disease, hypertension, or diabetes
Musculoskeletal pain conditions
Requirement for regular medications such as analgesics

Treatment and study plan

Oxygen Prebreathe and Hypobaric Exposure

Procedure

Prebreathe 100% oxygen followed by simulated spacewalk conditions in hypobaric chamber with exercise protocols.

Primary outcomes

Number of participants with Decompression Sickness

Time frame: Up to 6 months

Decompression sickness will be recorded during Extravehicular Activity (EVA) simulation at 6.2 psia following a one-hour oxygen prebreathe while resting, performing light exercise or heavier exercise.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Duke University

Other

Collaborators

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Registry information

Official study title

Exercise Prebreathe Study in Healthy Adult Volunteers to Evaluate Risk of Decompression Sickness During Simulated Spacewalk Conditions

Important dates

Study start: 2026
Primary completion: 2027
Study completion: 2027
First posted: Jul 14, 2026
Registry last updated: Jul 14, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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