Engineers Zero-In on Fighting Astronaut Bone Loss with Space Treadmill Simulator
July 1, 2009
Engineers built an enhanced zero-gravity locomotion simulator to replicate the exercise equipment astronauts use in space, learning how to keep them healthy during the mission. Because living in the weightless conditions in space can lead to atrophying muscles and bone loss, space station treadmills aim to mimic the impact loads an astronaut would experience on Earth. The space treadmill also measures heart rate and other vital signs.
WHAT HAPPENS TO A PERSON TRAVELING IN SPACE? The zero-gravity environment of space offers many challenges to astronauts. One of them is bone and muscle loss. With no gravity to pull people down, there's no need to use muscles and bones to hold the body upright. Both systems weaken, which is why NASA established exercise programs for astronauts spending long periods of time in the International Space Station. Despite these efforts, astronauts still lose muscle strength and bone density, which is why they require physical therapy on Earth after lengthy stays in orbit.
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