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How Exercise is Helping to Keep
Our Astronauts Healthy in Space
We all know exercise is good for us, but during
space flight and exploration missions,
it is essential for maintaining
healthy bones, muscles and heart.
On Earth, a woman over 50 who is untreated for
bone loss can lose 2% of hip bone mass
in one year. In space, astronauts can lose
the same amount in a single month.
Additionally, muscle mass and strength
can be reduced as much as 20 - 40%
during long duration missions.
Astronauts exercise up to 2.5 hours a day,
6 days a week to minimize the negative
effects of space flight on their bodies.
Exercise has the added benefit of
reducing stress and contributing to
an overall feeling of well-being.
The aerobic exercise of running or cycling,
promotes the circulation of oxygen and
nutrient rich blood to all parts of the body.
Astronauts on the International Space Station
or ISS, have a new advanced treadmill,
the COLBERT, respectfully named after
television personality Steven Colbert.
Astronauts and researchers are excited about
the COLBERT because it offers greater running
speeds than the original treadmill, and is also
instrumented so that load data can be collected
during running. This will help ensure each
crewmember is getting an optimal workout.
Resistive exercise, like lifting or moving a mass
is also key to strengthening and toning
muscles and increasing bone mass.
Ordinarily, this works because gravity pulls
weight down and we pull it back up.
During Space exploration,
where gravity is reduced, astronauts need
a device to mimic the resistance
normally provided by gravity.
The Advanced Resistive Exercise Device
or ARED, simulates weight bearing exercise.
Travel to Mars and beyond will require longer
exposure to reduced gravity.
There is much for us to learn before we can
attempt long duration missions.
However, exercise, coupled with proper
nutrition, and possibly medications,
will help to combat the affects of radiation,
reduced gravity, and stress.