Support in space medicine and physiology is one of our main research sectors. Since 2006 we have conducted five bed rest studies:

Our main partners in bed rest studies are:

• Institute of »Jožef Stefan«, Ljubljana, Slovenia
• Swedish Defence Research Agency, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
• University of Trieste, Italy
• University of Padua, Italy
• University of Udine, Italy
• University of Ferrara, Italy
• University of Naples, Italy
• University of Milano, Italy
• German Aerospace Agency, Germany
• Manchester Metropolitan University, UK
• Nottingham University, UK
• And many others

• Prof. Rado Pišot, PhD, director of Science and Research Centre Koper
• Prof. Boštjan Šimunič, PhD, Head of Institute for Kinesiology Research at SRC Koper
• Assist. prof. Mladen Gasparini, PhD, MD, Head physician, General Hospital Isola

Bed rest studies are delivered in a medical environment of the Izola General Hospital.

Original articles:

1. BUSO, Alessia, COMELLI, Marina, ISOLA, Miriam, MAGNESA, Benedetta, PIŠOT, Rado, RITTWEGER, Joern, SALVADEGO, Desy, ŠIMUNIČ, Boštjan, GRASSI, Bruno, MAVELLI, Irene, et al. Mitochondrial adaptations in elderly and young men skeletal muscle following 2 weeks of bed rest and rehabilitation. Frontiers in physiology, ISSN 1664-042X, maj 2019, vol. 10, art. 474, str. 1-18, ilustr. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2019.00474, doi: 3389/fphys.2019.00474.
2. ŠIMUNIČ, Boštjan, KOREN, Katja, RITTWEGER, Joern, LAZZER, Stefano, REGGIANI, Carlo, REJC, Enrico, PIŠOT, Rado, NARICI, Marco Vincenzo, DEGENS, Hans. Tensiomyography detects early hallmarks of bed-rest-induced atrophy before changes in muscle architecture. Journal of applied physiology, ISSN 8750-7587, 2019, vol. 126, iss. 4, str. 815-822, tabele, graf. prikazi. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00880.2018, doi: 1152/japplphysiol.00880.2018.
3. REJC, Enrico, FLOREANI, Mirco, TABOGA, Paolo, BOTTER, Alberto, TONIOLO, Luana, CANCELLARA, Lina, NARICI, Marco Vincenzo, ŠIMUNIČ, Boštjan, PIŠOT, Rado, BIOLO, Gianni, PASSARO, Angelina, RITTWEGER, Joern, REGGIANI, Carlo, LAZZER, Stefano. Loss of maximal explosive power of lower limbs after two weeks of disuse and incomplete recovery after retraining in older adults. The journal of physiology, ISSN 0022-3751. [Print ed.], 2018, vol. 596, iss. 4, str. 647-665, ilustr. https://doi.org/10.1113/JP274772, doi: 1113/JP274772.
4. FLOREANI, Mirco, REJC, Enrico, TABOGA, Paolo, GANZINI, Alessandro, PIŠOT, Rado, ŠIMUNIČ, Boštjan, BIOLO, Gianni, REGGIANI, Carlo, PASSARO, Angelina, NARICI, Marco Vincenzo, RITTWEGER, Joern, DI PRAMPERO, Pietro Enrico, LAZZER, Stefano. Effects of 14 days of bed rest and following physical training on metabolic cost, mechanical work, and efficiency during walking in older and young healthy males. PloS one, ISSN 1932-6203, 2018, vol. 13, iss. 3, str. 1-18, graf. prikazi, tabele. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0194291, doi: 1371/journal.pone.0194291.
5. PASSARO, Angelina, SOAVI, Cecilia, MARUŠIČ, Uroš, REJC, Enrico, SANZ, Juana Maria, MORIERI, Mario Luca, DALLA NORA, Edoardo, KAVCIC, Voyko, NARICI, Marco Vincenzo, REGGIANI, Carlo, BIOLO, Gianni, ZULIANI, Giovanni, LAZZER, Stefano, PIŠOT, Rado. Computerized cognitive training and brain derived neurotrophic factor during bed rest : mechanisms to protect individual during acute stress. Aging, ISSN 1945-4589, 2017, vol. 9, no. 2, str. 393-407, graf. prikazi, tabele. http://dx.doi.org/10.18632/aging.101166, doi: 18632/aging.101166.
6. PASSARO, Angelina, MISELLI, Maria Agata, SANZ, Juana Maria, DALLA NORA, Edoardo, MORIERI, Mario Luca, COLONNA, Rossella, PIŠOT, Rado, ZULIANI, Giovanni. Gene expression regional differences in human subcutaneous adipose tissue. BMC genomics, ISSN 1471-2164, 2017, vol. 18, art. no. 202, str. 1-11, ilustr. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12864-017-3564-2, doi: 1186/s12864-017-3564-2.
7. BIOLO, Gianni, PIŠOT, Rado, MAZZUCCO, Sara, DI GIROLAMO, Filippo Giorgio, SITULIN, Roberta, LAZZER, Stefano, GRASSI, Bruno, REGGIANI, Carlo, PASSARO, Angelina, RITTWEGER, Joern, GASPARINI, Mladen, ŠIMUNIČ, Boštjan, NARICI, Marco Vincenzo. Anabolic resistance assessed by oral stable isotope ingestion following bed rest in young and older adult volunteers : relationships with changes in muscle mass. Clinical nutrition : an international journal devoted to clinical nutrition and metabolism, ISSN 0261-5614, 2017, vol. 36, iss. 5, str. 1420-1426, graf. prikazi, tabele. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2016.09.019, doi: 1016/j.clnu.2016.09.019.
8. BÜHLMEIER, Judith, FRINGS-MEUTHEN, Petra, MOHORKO, Nina, LAU, P., MAZZUCCO, Sara, FERRETTI, J. L., BIOLO, Gianni, PIŠOT, Rado, ŠIMUNIČ, Boštjan, RITTWEGER, Joern. Markers of bone metabolism during 14 days of bed rest in young and older men. Journal of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions, ISSN 1108-7161, 2017, vol. 17, no. 1, str. 399-408
9. PIŠOT, Rado, MARUŠIČ, Uroš, BIOLO, Gianni, MAZZUCCO, Sara, LAZZER, Stefano, GRASSI, Bruno, REGGIANI, Carlo, TONIOLO, Luana, DI PRAMPERO, Pietro Enrico, PASSARO, Angelina, NARICI, Marco Vincenzo, MOHAMMED, Shahid, RITTWEGER, Joern, GASPARINI, Mladen, GABRIJELČIČ BLENKUŠ, Mojca, ŠIMUNIČ, Boštjan. Greater loss in muscle mass and function but smaller metabolic alterations in older compared to younger men following two weeks of bed rest and recovery. Journal of applied physiology, ISSN 8750-7587, 2016, vol. 120, no. 8, str. 922-929, tabele, graf. prikazi. http://jap.physiology.org/content/120/8/922, doi: 1152/japplphysiol.00858.2015.
10. SOAVI, Cecilia, MARUŠIČ, Uroš, SANZ, Juana Maria, MORIERI, Mario Luca, DALLA NORA, Edoardo, ŠIMUNIČ, Boštjan, PIŠOT, Rado, ZULIANI, Giovanni, PASSARO, Angelina. Age-related differences in plasma BDNF levels after prolonged bed rest. Journal of applied physiology, ISSN 8750-7587, 2016, vol. 120, no. 10, str. 1118-1123, graf. prikazi, tabele. http://jap.physiology.org/content/early/2016/02/29/japplphysiol.01111.2015.full.pdf+html, doi: 1152/japplphysiol.01111.2015.
11. JURDANA, Mihaela, JENKO PRAŽNIKAR, Zala, MOHORKO, Nina, PETELIN, Ana, JAKUS, Tadeja, ŠIMUNIČ, Boštjan, PIŠOT, Rado. Impact of 14-day bed rest on serum adipokines and low-grade inflammation in younger and older adults. Age, ISSN 0161-9152, dec. 2015, vol. 37, iss. 6, str. 1-11, tabele, graf. prikazi. http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11357-015-9848-z, doi: 1007/s11357-015-9848-z.
12. GOSWAMI, Nandu, KAVCIC, Voyko, MARUŠIČ, Uroš, ŠIMUNIČ, Boštjan, ROESSLER, Andreas, HINGHOFER-SZALKAY, Helmut, PIŠOT, Rado. Effect of computerized cognitive training with virtual spatial navigation task during bed rest immobilization and recovery on vascular function : a pilot study. Clinical interventions in aging, ISSN 1178-1998. [Online ed.], feb. 2015, vol. 10, str. 453-459, tabele. http://www.dovepress.com/effect-of-computerized-cognitive-training-with-virtual-spatial-navigat-peer-reviewed-article-CIA, doi: 2147/CIA.S76028.
13. REJC, Enrico, DI PRAMPERO, Pietro Enrico, LAZZER, Stefano, GRASSI, Bruno, ŠIMUNIČ, Boštjan, PIŠOT, Rado, ANTONUTTO, Guglielmo, NARICI, Marco Vincenzo. Maximal explosive power of the lower limbs before and after 35 days of bed rest under different diet energy intake. European journal of applied physiology, ISSN 1439-6319. [Print ed.], 2015, vol. 115, iss. 2, str. 429-436, graf. prikazi, tabele. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00421-014-3024-5, doi: 1007/s00421-014-3024-5.
14. REJC, Enrico, DI PRAMPERO, Pietro Enrico, LAZZER, Stefano, GRASSI, Bruno, ŠIMUNIČ, Boštjan, PIŠOT, Rado, ANTONUTTO, Guglielmo, NARICI, Marco Vincenzo. A 35-day bed rest does not alter the bilateral deficit of the lower limbs during explosive efforts. European journal of applied physiology, ISSN 1439-6319. [Print ed.], 2015, vol. 115, iss. 6, str. 1323-1330, graf. prikazi, tabele. http://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007%2Fs00421-015-3111-2.pdf, doi: 1007/s00421-015-3111-2.
15. KOREN, Katja, ŠIMUNIČ, Boštjan, REJC, Enrico, LAZZER, Stefano, PIŠOT, Rado. Differences between skeletal muscle contractile parameters estimated from transversal tensiomyographic and longitudinal torque twitch response. Kinesiology : international scientific journal of kinesiology and sport, ISSN 1331-1441. [English ed.], 2015, vol. 47, no. 1, str. 19-26
16. MARUŠIČ, Uroš, KAVCIC, Voyko, GIORDANI, Bruno, GERŽEVIČ, Mitja, MEEUSEN, Romain, PIŠOT, Rado. Computerized spatial navigation training during 14 days of bed rest in healthy older adult men : effect on gait performance. Psychology and aging, ISSN 0882-7974, jun. 2015, vol. 30, iss. 2, str. 334-340, ilustr., tabele. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/pag0000021, doi: 1037/pag0000021.
17. TAMMA, Grazia, DI MISE, Annarita, RANIERI, Marianna, SVELTO, Maria, PIŠOT, Rado, BILANCIO, Giancarlo, CAVALLO, Pierpaolo, DE SANTO, Natale Gaspare, CIRILLO, Massimo, VALENTI, Giovanna. A decrease in aquaporin 2 excretion is associated with bed rest induced high calciuria. Journal of translational medicine, ISSN 1479-5876, 2014, vol. 12, 133, graf. prikazi. http://www.translational-medicine.com/content/12/1/133, doi: 1186/1479-5876-12-133.
18. BILANCIO, Giancarlo, LOMBARDI, Cinzia, PIŠOT, Rado, DE SANTO, Natale Gaspare, CAVALLO, Pierpaolo, CIRILLO, Massimo. Effects of bed-rest on urea and creatinine : correlation with changes in fat-free mass. PloS one, ISSN 1932-6203, 2014, vol. 9, iss. 9, str. 1-7, graf. prikazi, tabele. http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0108805, doi: 1371/journal.pone.0108805.
19. ADAMI, Alessandra, PIZZINELLI, Paolo, BRINGARD, Aurélien, CAPELLI, Carlo, MALACARNE, M., LUCINI, D., ŠIMUNIČ, Boštjan, PIŠOT, Rado, FERRETTI, Guido. Cardiovascular re-adjustments and baroreflex response during clinical reambulation procedure at the end of 35-day bed rest in humans. Applied physiology, nutrition and metabolism, ISSN 1715-5312, 2013, vol. 38, no. 6, str. 673-680, ilustr. http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/abs/10.1139/apnm-2012-0396, doi: 1139/apnm-2012-0396.
20. LI, Ruowei, NARICI, Marco Vincenzo, ERSKINE, Robert M., SEYNNES, Olivier, RITTWEGER, Joern, PIŠOT, Rado, ŠIMUNIČ, Boštjan, FLÜCK, M. Costamere remodeling with muscle loading and unloading in healthy young men. Journal of Anatomy, ISSN 0021-8782, 2013, vol. 223, iss. 5, str. 525-536, ilustr. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/joa.12101/pdf, doi: 1111/joa.12101.
21. IOVINO, Paola, CHIARIONI, Giuseppe, BILANCIO, Giancarlo, CIRILLO, Massimo, MEKJAVIĆ, Igor B., PIŠOT, Rado, CIACCI, Carolina. New onset of constipation during long-term physical inactivity : a proof-of-concept study on the immobility-induced bowel changes. PloS one, ISSN 1932-6203, 2013, vol. 8, iss. 8, str. 1-8, graf. prikazi. http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0072608, doi: 1371/journal.pone.0072608.
22. ŠIMUNIČ, Boštjan, DEGENS, H., RITTWEGER, Joern, NARICI, Marco Vincenzo, PIŠOT, Venčeslav, MEKJAVIĆ, Igor B., PIŠOT, Rado. Tensiomyographic measurement of atrophy related processes during bed rest and recovery. V: OUWEHAND, L. (ur.). Proceedings of Life in space for life on earth, 18-22 June 2012, Aberdeen, (ESA SP (CD-ROM), ISSN 1609-042X). Noordwijk: ESA Communications. 2013
23. SALVADEGO, Desy, LAZZER, Stefano, MARZORATI, Mauro, PORCELLI, Simone, REJC, Enrico, ŠIMUNIČ, Boštjan, PIŠOT, Rado, DI PRAMPERO, Pietro Enrico, GRASSI, Bruno. Functional impairment of skeletal muscle oxidative metabolism during knee-extension exercise after bed rest. Journal of applied physiology, ISSN 8750-7587, 2011, vol. 111, no. 6, str. 1719-1726. http://jap.physiology.org/content/111/6/1719.full.pdf+html, doi: 1152/japplphysiol.01380.2010.
24. ŠIMUNIČ, Boštjan, DEGENS, H., RITTWEGER, Joern, NARICI, Marco Vincenzo, MEKJAVIĆ, Igor B., PIŠOT, Rado. Noninvasive estimation of myosin heavy chain composition in human skeletal muscle. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, ISSN 0195-9131, 2011, vol. 43, iss. 9, str. 1619-1625. http://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/Abstract/2011/09000/Noninvasive_Estimation_of_Myosin_Heavy_Chain.3.aspx, doi: 1249/MSS.0b013e31821522d0.
25. YOGEV, Daniel, EIKEN, Ola, PIŠOT, Rado, BIOLO, Gianni, PRAMPERO, Pietro di, NARICI, Marco Vincenzo, MEKJAVIĆ, Igor B. Effect of 21 days of horizontal bed rest on behavioural thermoregulation. European journal of applied physiology, ISSN 1439-6319. [Print ed.], Jan. 2010, vol. 108, no. 2, str. 281-188. http://www.springerlink.com/content/1439-6319/108/2/, doi: 1007/s00421-009-1202-7.
26. PORCELLI, Simone, MARZORATI, Mauro, LANFRANCONI, Francesca, VAGO, Paola, PIŠOT, Rado, GRASSI, Bruno. Role of skeletal muscles impairment and brain oxygenation in limiting oxidative metabolism during exercise after bed rest. Journal of applied physiology, ISSN 8750-7587, 2010, vol. 109, no. 1, str. 101-111, ilustr. http://jap.physiology.org/content/109/1/101.full.pdf, doi: 1152/japplphysiol.00782.2009.
27. AGOSTINI, Francesco, DALLA LIBERA, Luciano, RITTWEGER, Joern, MAZZUCCO, Sara, JURDANA, Mihaela, MEKJAVIĆ, Igor B., PIŠOT, Rado, GORZA, Luisa, NARICI, Marco Vincenzo, BIOLO, Gianni. Effects of inactivity on human muscle glutathione synthesis by a double-tracer and single-biopsy approach. The journal of physiology, ISSN 0022-3751. [Print ed.], 2010, vol. 588, iss. 24, str. 5089-5104. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1113/jphysiol.2010.198283/pdf, doi: 1113/jphysiol.2010.198283.
28. RITTWEGER, Joern, ŠIMUNIČ, Boštjan, BILANCIO, Giancarlo, DE SANTO, Natale Gaspare, CIRILLO, Massimo, BIOLO, Gianni, PIŠOT, Rado, EIKEN, Ola, MEKJAVIĆ, Igor B., NARICI, Marco Vincenzo. Bone loss in the lower leg during 35 days of bed rest is predominantly from the cortical compartment. Bone, ISSN 8756-3282. [Print ed.], 2009, vol. 44, no. 4, str. 612-618. http://www.sciencedirect.com, doi: 1016/j.bone.2009.01.001.
29. BIOLO, Gianni, AGOSTINI, Francesco, ŠIMUNIČ, Boštjan, STURMA, Mariella, TORELLI, Lucio, PREISER, Jean Charles, DEBY-DUPONT, Ginette, MAGNI, Paolo, STROLLO, Felice, PRAMPERO, Pietro di, GUARNIERI, Gianfranco, MEKJAVIĆ, Igor B., PIŠOT, Rado, NARICI, Marco Vincenzo. Positive energy balance is associated with accelerated muscle atrophy and increased erythrocyte glutathione turnover during 5 wk of bed rest. The American journal of clinical nutrition, ISSN 0002-9165, 2008, vol. 88, no. 4, str. 950-958.
30. DE BOER, Maarten D., SEYNNES, Olivier, PRAMPERO, Pietro di, PIŠOT, Rado, MEKJAVIĆ, Igor B., BIOLO, Gianni, NARICI, Marco Vincenzo. Effect of 5 weeks horizontal bed rest on human muscle thickness and architecture of weight bearing and non-weight bearing muscles. European journal of applied physiology, ISSN 1439-6319. [Print ed.], 2008, vol. 104, no. 2, str. 401-407. http://www.springerlink.com/content/3u96rr2777273575/fulltext.pdf, doi: 1007/s00421-008-0703-0.
31. PIŠOT, Rado, NARICI, Marco Vincenzo, ŠIMUNIČ, Boštjan, DE BOER, Maarten D., SEYNNES, Olivier, JURDANA, Mihaela, BIOLO, Gianni, MEKJAVIĆ, Igor B. Whole muscle contractile parameters and thickness loss during 35-day bed rest. European journal of applied physiology, ISSN 1439-6319. [Print ed.], 2008, vol. 104, no. 2, str. 409-414. http://www.springerlink.com/content/t733607305283h25/fulltext.pdf, doi: 1007/s00421-008-0698-6.
32. PLAZAR, Nadja, JURDANA, Mihaela, PIŠOT, Rado. Vpliv 35 dnevnega mirovanja na koncentracijo homocisteina v krvi = The effect of 35-day bed rest on plasma homocysteine concentration. Farmacevtski vestnik : strokovno glasilo slovenske farmacije, ISSN 0014-8229. [Tiskana izd.], dec. 2008, letn. 59, št. 6, str. 319-322.
33. DOLENC, Petra, TUŠAK, Matej, DIMEC ČASAR, Tjaša, PIŠOT, Rado. Anxiety, emotional regulation and concentration during 35-day bed rest. Review of Psychology : international journal of Croatian Psychological Association, ISSN 1330-6812, 2008, vol. 15, no. 1/2, str. 11-16.
34. DOLENC, Petra, TUŠAK, Matej, DIMEC ČASAR, Tjaša, PIŠOT, Rado. Vpliv popolne gibalne neaktivnosti na psihično zdravje in počutje zdravih mladih preiskovancev = Effects of complete physical inactivity on psychical health and well-being in healthy young subjects. Zdravstveno varstvo : Slovenian journal of public health, ISSN 0351-0026. [Tiskana izd.], 2008, letn. 47, št. 2, str. 53-59.
35. ŠIMUNIČ, Boštjan, RITTWEGER, Joern, CANKAR, Gregor, JURDANA, Mihaela, VOLMUT, Tadeja, ŠETINA, Tina, MEKJAVIĆ, Igor B., PIŠOT, Rado. Odziv sestave telesa, mišične togosti in ravnotežja po 35-dnevni odsotnosti gibanja pri mladih in zdravih preiskovancih = Changes in body composition, muscle stiffness and postural stability occurring in healthy young men submitted to a 35-day bed rest. Zdravstveno varstvo : Slovenian journal of public health, ISSN 0351-0026. [Tiskana izd.], 2008, letn. 47, št. 2, str. 60-71.

Review articles:

1. MARUŠIČ, Uroš, NARICI, Marco Vincenzo, ŠIMUNIČ, Boštjan, PIŠOT, Rado, RITZMANN, Ramona. Non-uniform loss of muscle strength and atrophy during bed rest : a systematic review. Journal of applied physiology, ISSN 1522-1601. [Online ed.], 2021, vol. 130, iss. [in press], str. [in press], ilustr. https://journals.physiology.org/doi/pdf/10.1152/japplphysiol.00363.2020, doi: 1152/japplphysiol.00013.2021.
2. MARUŠIČ, Uroš, KAVCIC, Voyko, PIŠOT, Rado, GOSWAMI, Nandu. The role of enhanced cognition to counteract detrimental effects of prolonged bed rest : current evidence and perspectives. Frontiers in physiology, ISSN 1664-042X, jan. 2019, vol. 9, art. 1864, str. 1-6. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2018.01864, doi: 3389/fphys.2018.01864.
3. MARUŠIČ, Uroš, MEEUSEN, Romain, PIŠOT, Rado, KAVCIC, Voyko. The brain in micro- and hypergravity : the effects of changing gravity on the brain electrocortical activity. European journal of sport science, ISSN 1746-1391, 2014, vol. 14, iss. 8, str. 813-822. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/17461391.2014.908959, doi: 1080/17461391.2014.908959.
4. BILANCIO, Giancarlo, LOMBARDI, Cinzia, PIŠOT, Rado, MEKJAVIĆ, Igor B., DE SANTO, Natale Gaspare, LUCIANO, Maria Grazia. Effects of prolonged immobilization on sequential changes in mineral and bone disease parameters : to the editor. American journal of kidney diseases, ISSN 0272-6386, 2013, vol. 61, no. 5, str. 845-847.
5. BILANCIO, Giancarlo, LOMBARDI, Cinzia, CIRILLO, Massimo, PIŠOT, Rado, RITTWEGER, Joern, DE SANTO, Natale Gaspare. From space flights to osteoporosis. Annales kinesiologiae, ISSN 2232-2620. [Tiskana izd.], 2012, vol. 3, no. 1, str. 27-34.