Have you seen the movie “Space Buddies?” The Disney flick follows five puppies as they wander onto a space shuttle and are “accidentally” shot into orbit. After the dogs blast off they hook up with a Russian cosmonaut who has been in space for a very long time. He doesn’t say exactly how long he’s been in orbit, but from the looks of his long beard, unruly hair and skinny body, it’s been a while.
I thought about the movie’s cosmonaut while reading a new NASA-sponsored study, which suggests that changes are needed to improve the in-flight exercise regimen of astronauts to aid their muscle performance while they’re in space for extended periods of time.
Currently, crewmembers on the International Space Station average about 6 months in zero gravity environments. While the astronauts participate in some exercise, the study found that they still lost an average of 15 percent muscle mass and 20 to 30 percent loss of muscle performance while in space.
“By clinical standards, this is a massive loss,” the study’s lead author said. “This approaches what we see in aging populations in comparisons of a 20-year-old versus an 80-year-old. This poses risks to the crewmembers and could have a dramatic impact on locomotion and overall health, which would impact a variety of crewmembers’ activities including future goals of planetary exploration.”
Since astronauts’ health is paramount for safety and mission success, NASA is looking to find the optimal exercises for its crewmembers. Specifically, NASA fitness experts are looking to protect the astronauts’ cardiovascular system, bone, and skeletal muscles.
The new exercises will work in conjunction with an Advanced Resistance Exercise Device, which was delivered to the International Space Station in November 2008. The device offers astronauts greater capabilities to exercise at higher workloads and intensity. In addition to new equipment, NASA reports that astronaut trainers are providing new exercise prescriptions customized for each crewmember.
Related Articles:
Weight Lifting and the Elderly
Creating a Challenging Workout Routine
Exercising on the Road: No Excuses
Why You Want to Build Muscle as You Age
Creating a Fitness Routine that Works for You