Exercise – NSBRI http://nsbri.org National Space Biomedical Research Institute Sun, 07 Feb 2016 19:55:15 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.5.9 Integrated Endurance and Resistance Exercise Countermeasures Using a Gravity-Independent Training Device http://nsbri.org/researches/integrated-endurance-and-resistance-exercise-countermeasures-using-a-gravity-independent-training-device/ Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:53:11 +0000 http://nsbri.org/researches/integrated-endurance-and-resistance-exercise-countermeasures-using-a-gravity-independent-training-device/ Maintaining astronaut health and physical fitness is a major challenge of long-duration spaceflight. NASA has determined that current flight-rated exercise hardware is not appropriate for use on exploration vehicles. Dr. Gregory R. Adams will investigate the effectiveness of a new exercise device for use during long-duration spaceflights. The device is designed to maintain cardiovascular and […]

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]]> Maintaining astronaut health and physical fitness is a major challenge of long-duration spaceflight. NASA has determined that current flight-rated exercise hardware is not appropriate for use on exploration vehicles. Dr. Gregory R. Adams will investigate the effectiveness of a new exercise device for use during long-duration spaceflights. The device is designed to maintain cardiovascular and musculoskeletal fitness of astronauts by providing high-resistance strength or low-resistance endurance exercises.

The project will have three phases. The first involves subjects using the device to perform strength and cardiovascular exercise during normal gravity conditions. The second and third phases call for subjects to exercise in conjunction with increased levels of inactivity, which simulates conditions of microgravity. Study participants do short-duration interval cardiovascular exercises designed to reduce the time needed for exercise. On alternate days, the device will be configured for strength training, which has been shown to result in increased muscle strength and size.

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]]> Virtual Reality-Based Pre-Flight Astronaut 3D Navigation Training (First Award Fellowship) http://nsbri.org/researches/virtual-reality-based-pre-flight-astronaut-3d-navigation-training-postdoctoral-fellowship/ Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:54:03 +0000 http://nsbri.org/researches/virtual-reality-based-pre-flight-astronaut-3d-navigation-training-postdoctoral-fellowship/ Spatial disorientation and navigation problems have been reported by astronauts operating in spacecraft with complex three-dimensional (3D) architecture. These problems can complicate responses to emergencies. In weightlessness, astronauts face various orientations and 3D navigation, but these challenges cannot be simulated in mockups on the ground. NSBRI Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Hirofumi Aoki has designed a virtual […]

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]]> Spatial disorientation and navigation problems have been reported by astronauts operating in spacecraft with complex three-dimensional (3D) architecture. These problems can complicate responses to emergencies. In weightlessness, astronauts face various orientations and 3D navigation, but these challenges cannot be simulated in mockups on the ground.

NSBRI Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Hirofumi Aoki has designed a virtual reality-based training method as a countermeasure to inflight spatial disorientation and 3D navigation problems. Subjects perform navigational exercises and emergency egress tasks in a virtual, realistic simulation of the ISS under normal and smoke-obstructed conditions. The results should define procedures for preflight spatial disorientation and navigation training and design standards for future spacecraft.

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]]> Force Regulation as a Countermeasure to Muscle Atrophy http://nsbri.org/researches/force-regulation-as-a-countermeasure-to-muscle-atrophy/ Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:53:11 +0000 http://nsbri.org/researches/force-regulation-as-a-countermeasure-to-muscle-atrophy/ A weightless environment causes astronauts to suffer muscle atrophy and reduced strength, and considerable attention has focused on identifying exercise prescriptions to reduce this loss. While evidence exists that resistance exercise is partially successful in reducing muscle atrophy, a definitive exercise prescription has not been identified that is suitable for conditioning skeletal muscle. In this […]

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]]> A weightless environment causes astronauts to suffer muscle atrophy and reduced strength, and considerable attention has focused on identifying exercise prescriptions to reduce this loss. While evidence exists that resistance exercise is partially successful in reducing muscle atrophy, a definitive exercise prescription has not been identified that is suitable for conditioning skeletal muscle. In this animal study, Dr. Kenneth Baldwin’s goals are to determine the effectiveness of specific types of resistance exercises, to test and optimize exercises most effective at lessening atrophy, and to determine the effectiveness of resistance training in combination with pharmaceuticals (such as protease inhibiters), as compared to resistance training alone. Ultimately, the objective is to identify a resistance-training prescription that can be efficiently performed (minimizing time constraints), requires simple, yet reliable equipment devices, and is attractive to the astronauts for compliance.

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]]> Maintaining Musculoskeletal Health in the Lunar Environment http://nsbri.org/researches/maintaining-musculoskeletal-health-in-the-lunar-environment/ Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:53:38 +0000 http://nsbri.org/researches/maintaining-musculoskeletal-health-in-the-lunar-environment/ It is well documented that the human body loses bone and muscle mass during long-duration stays in space such as on the International Space Station. With the United States planning to conduct long-duration missions to the moon, scientists must learn what effects lunar gravity, which is one-sixth of Earth’s, will have on human muscle and […]

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]]> It is well documented that the human body loses bone and muscle mass during long-duration stays in space such as on the International Space Station. With the United States planning to conduct long-duration missions to the moon, scientists must learn what effects lunar gravity, which is one-sixth of Earth’s, will have on human muscle and bone.

Dr. Susan A. Bloomfield is leading an animal model study to determine if muscle and bone loss on the moon will be as severe as it is in microgravity. Her project also seeks to determine if low-dose radiation exposure worsens bone and muscle loss in a lunar-gravity environment and if, under these unique conditions, exercise is still effective in reducing bone and muscle loss.

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]]> Increasing the Efficiency of Exercise Countermeasures for Bone Loss http://nsbri.org/researches/increasing-the-efficiency-of-exercise-countermeasures-for-bone-loss/ Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:53:38 +0000 http://nsbri.org/researches/increasing-the-efficiency-of-exercise-countermeasures-for-bone-loss/ Dr. Susan A. Bloomfield’s research seeks to define an optimal exercise regimen that will mitigate bone loss when combined with the administration of an appropriate drug agent. To enhance muscle and bone recovery, Bloomfield’s animal study will test the hypothesis that astronaut time spent exercising to reduce bone loss can be decreased if combined with […]

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]]> Dr. Susan A. Bloomfield’s research seeks to define an optimal exercise regimen that will mitigate bone loss when combined with the administration of an appropriate drug agent. To enhance muscle and bone recovery, Bloomfield’s animal study will test the hypothesis that astronaut time spent exercising to reduce bone loss can be decreased if combined with an appropriate pharmacological agent. She will first compare two distinct exercise types, both mimicking weight training, then administer the pharmalogical agent in combination with the most successful exercise mode, and then systematically determine what reduction in exercise time results in the most benefit to bone and muscle. Her results can then be translated to flight-based study.

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]]> Hypergravity Resistance Training: Countermeasure to Microgravity http://nsbri.org/researches/hypergravity-resistance-training-countermeasure-to-microgravity/ Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:54:03 +0000 http://nsbri.org/researches/hypergravity-resistance-training-countermeasure-to-microgravity/ A NASA Biomedical Research and Countermeasures Program priority is to determine the potential usefulness of artificial gravity to combat the problem of muscle atrophy and loss of muscle function that occurs in microgravity. Research by Dr. Vincent Caiozzo will test the Space Cycle, a human-powered centrifuge that can be used to generate various levels of […]

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]]> A NASA Biomedical Research and Countermeasures Program priority is to determine the potential usefulness of artificial gravity to combat the problem of muscle atrophy and loss of muscle function that occurs in microgravity. Research by Dr. Vincent Caiozzo will test the Space Cycle, a human-powered centrifuge that can be used to generate various levels of artificial gravity/hypergravity. On this bike-like device, the rider pedals in circles around a pole. The project will test whether artificial gravity can be used as a unique resistance training method that acts as an effective solution for preventing the loss of muscle mass and function that occurs due to microgravity.

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]]> A Quantitative Test of On-Orbit Exercise Countermeasures for Bone Demineralization Using a Bedrest Analog http://nsbri.org/researches/a-quantitative-test-of-on-orbit-exercise-countermeasures-for-bone-demineralization-using-a-bedrest-analog/ Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:53:11 +0000 http://nsbri.org/researches/a-quantitative-test-of-on-orbit-exercise-countermeasures-for-bone-demineralization-using-a-bedrest-analog/ Dr. Peter Cavanagh and his colleagues are conducting a bed-rest study to better understand the amount of exercise loading that is necessary to reduce bone loss in astronauts during long-duration spaceflight. Volunteers in a 12-week head-down bed-rest study were randomly assigned into one of two groups, an exercise and a non-exercise group. The exercise group […]

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]]> Dr. Peter Cavanagh and his colleagues are conducting a bed-rest study to better understand the amount of exercise loading that is necessary to reduce bone loss in astronauts during long-duration spaceflight. Volunteers in a 12-week head-down bed-rest study were randomly assigned into one of two groups, an exercise and a non-exercise group. The exercise group participated in an individualized exercise program each day using a vertical treadmill with a one g applied subject load that provided a flight-like simulation of the treadmill exercise that is performed in space. The goal of the exercise prescription is to replace the daily load stimulus in one g which was measured during entire days of free living prior to bed rest. In order to compare the changes between the exercise and non-exercise group members, measurements of bone mineral density, muscle volume and strength are taken at the beginning and the end of the 12-week period. Bone metabolic markers are also collected.

In addition to providing an answer if exercise can adequately protect the body from bone and muscle loss during spaceflight, the data will be helpful to understand the importance of exercise for prevention and treatment of bone diseases such as osteoporosis.

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]]> Foot Reaction Forces During Simulated ISS Exercise Countermeasures http://nsbri.org/researches/foot-reaction-forces-during-simulated-iss-exercise-countermeasures/ Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:53:26 +0000 http://nsbri.org/researches/foot-reaction-forces-during-simulated-iss-exercise-countermeasures/ As a countermeasure to bone and muscle loss, astronauts on the International Space Station exercise using three devices; a treadmill, bicycle and resistance training device. However, as new devices are designed it is important to know the levels of load these devices place on the lower extremities and how the load changes with various settings. […]

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]]> As a countermeasure to bone and muscle loss, astronauts on the International Space Station exercise using three devices; a treadmill, bicycle and resistance training device. However, as new devices are designed it is important to know the levels of load these devices place on the lower extremities and how the load changes with various settings. Through ground-based simulations, Dr. Peter R. Cavanagh and NASA Glenn Research Center colleagues are working to establish the devices loading characteristics in order to be better able to direct device design and to develop exercise prescriptions. To aid the study, the group will enhance the Zero Gravity Locomotion Simulator at The Cleveland Clinic to provide more flight-like simulation of exercise. Using this device, they will work to define the range of loading possibilities in cycling, treadmill running, resistance and jumping exercise. The results will provide clear guidelines for the prescription of inflight exercise.

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]]> Cyber Partners: Harnessing Group Dynamics to Boost Motivation for More Efficient Exercise http://nsbri.org/researches/cyber-partners-harnessing-group-dynamics-to-boost-motivation-for-more-efficient-exercise/ Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:58:14 +0000 http://nsbri.org/researches/cyber-partners-harnessing-group-dynamics-to-boost-motivation-for-more-efficient-exercise/ Astronauts may have difficulty adhering to exercise regimens at vigorous intensity levels during long space missions. Keeping up with exercise prescriptions is important for aerobic and musculoskeletal health during space missions and afterwards. A key impediment to maintaining intense levels of exercise is motivation. However, finding ways to motivate astronauts to be physically active at […]

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]]> Astronauts may have difficulty adhering to exercise regimens at vigorous intensity levels during long space missions. Keeping up with exercise prescriptions is important for aerobic and musculoskeletal health during space missions and afterwards. A key impediment to maintaining intense levels of exercise is motivation. However, finding ways to motivate astronauts to be physically active at the levels necessary to lessen the effects of bone and muscle loss and aerobic capacity has not been explored. Exercise video games have been marketed as a way to increase people’s motivation and enjoyment to exercise by being entertaining, engaging and providing a means by which to interact with other players. Although many exercise games involve competition among players, there has been little attempt to analyze what game features and interpersonal interactions would best motivate users to continue exercising with these games. Using individuals closely matched in age and fitness to current astronauts, Dr. Deborah L. Feltz leads a research effort designed to determine whether recently documented motivation gains in task groups (dyads in particular) can be harnessed to improve motivation in interactive exercise games using virtual, software-generated (SG) partners.

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]]> Genomics of Human Skeletal Muscle During Bed Rest and Exercise http://nsbri.org/researches/genomics-of-human-skeletal-muscle-during-bed-rest-and-exercise/ Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:53:11 +0000 http://nsbri.org/researches/genomics-of-human-skeletal-muscle-during-bed-rest-and-exercise/ Muscle atrophy caused by weightlessness is similar to the muscle wasting caused by disuse on Earth. Dr. Marc T. Hamilton is examining the effects of muscle disuse through human trials involving one-leg bicycle exercises, and he is investigating the effects of muscle disuse on genetic expression in rats after periods of exercise and inactivity. This […]

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]]> Muscle atrophy caused by weightlessness is similar to the muscle wasting caused by disuse on Earth. Dr. Marc T. Hamilton is examining the effects of muscle disuse through human trials involving one-leg bicycle exercises, and he is investigating the effects of muscle disuse on genetic expression in rats after periods of exercise and inactivity. This research will provide knowledge of the physical effects of muscle disuse and is measuring how all of the approximately 35,000 genes in the human genome are adversely affected by physical inactivity.

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