Muscle – NSBRI http://nsbri.org National Space Biomedical Research Institute Thu, 07 Jul 2016 18:31:55 +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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]]> 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 Combinatorial Approach of Exercise and Myostatin Inhibition to Enhance Compromised Bone (Postdoctoral Fellowship) http://nsbri.org/researches/a-combinatorial-approach-of-exercise-and-myostatin-inhibition-to-enhance-compromised-bone-postdoctoral-fellowship/ Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:53:29 +0000 http://nsbri.org/researches/a-combinatorial-approach-of-exercise-and-myostatin-inhibition-to-enhance-compromised-bone-postdoctoral-fellowship/ Long-duration spaceflight poses many health risks for human explorers. Astronauts in microgravity are susceptible to developing weaker bones, which is also a serious problem on Earth for those who suffer from osteoporosis and other bone diseases. NSBRI Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Stephanie M. Carleton has developed a research project to study how the absence of myostatin […]

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]]> Long-duration spaceflight poses many health risks for human explorers. Astronauts in microgravity are susceptible to developing weaker bones, which is also a serious problem on Earth for those who suffer from osteoporosis and other bone diseases. NSBRI Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Stephanie M. Carleton has developed a research project to study how the absence of myostatin — a negative regulator of muscle growth — impacts the bone quality of mice with brittle bones, which models the segment of the human population with osteoporosis. Carleton’s hypothesis is that the muscle mass in the mice with the mutation and osteoporosis-like symptoms will increase during exercise, leading to stronger bones due to the added stress to the bones from the larger muscles. This research could lead to effective bone loss countermeasures during long-duration spaceflight and improved treatments for patients suffering from bone loss.

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]]> Effect of Unloading on the Structure and Mechanics of Rotator Cuff Tendon-to-Bone Insertion (First Award Fellowship) http://nsbri.org/researches/effect-of-unloading-on-the-structure-and-mechanics-of-rotator-cuff-tendon-to-bone-insertion-first-award-fellowship/ Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:58:14 +0000 http://nsbri.org/researches/effect-of-unloading-on-the-structure-and-mechanics-of-rotator-cuff-tendon-to-bone-insertion-first-award-fellowship/ Rotator cuff injuries often occur at the site of tendons-to-bone attachment, also called the insertion site or enthesis. The sensitivity of the musculoskeletal system to its loading environment may augment the risk of injury at insertion sites due to extended periods of microgravity or unloading. Long-term changes in mechanical loading on joints, such as may […]

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]]> Rotator cuff injuries often occur at the site of tendons-to-bone attachment, also called the insertion site or enthesis. The sensitivity of the musculoskeletal system to its loading environment may augment the risk of injury at insertion sites due to extended periods of microgravity or unloading. Long-term changes in mechanical loading on joints, such as may be experienced during extended space travel, will lead to modifications in the tissues’ structural and therefore mechanical properties. Alix-Deymier Black will be examining the multi-scale structural and mechanical changes in the rotator cuff enthesis with unloading. A better understanding of structural and mechanical changes will help elucidate techniques for minimizing the risk of injury.

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]]> Somatic Mutations in Muscle and Bone Exposed to Simulated Space Radiation and Microgravity http://nsbri.org/researches/somatic-mutations-muscle-bone-exposed-simulated-space-radiation-microgravity/ Thu, 07 Jul 2016 18:07:07 +0000 http://nsbri.org/?post_type=research&p=22317 The accumulation of somatic (non-heritable) DNA mutations over time is a hallmark and potential mechanism of aging and other diseases. Our long-term goal is to understand how simulated space radiation, including that from protons and high atomic number and energy (HZE) ions, and microgravity, all of which are experienced during long duration space flight, interact […]

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]]> The accumulation of somatic (non-heritable) DNA mutations over time is a hallmark and potential mechanism of aging and other diseases. Our long-term goal is to understand how simulated space radiation, including that from protons and high atomic number and energy (HZE) ions, and microgravity, all of which are experienced during long duration space flight, interact to alter the burden of somatic mutations in bone and muscle, whether these changes contribute to disease phenotypes in these tissues, and to develop therapeutic countermeasures. Our central hypothesis is that space radiation induces somatic mutations in bone and muscle and alters known and novel signal transduction pathways that underlie development of cancers, immune system dysfunction and metabolic disturbances resulting from mitochondrial impairment. Furthermore, exposure to simulated microgravity increases the mutagenic potential of exposure to simulated space radiation potentiating the occurrence of mutations.  The rationale for this proposed research is that there are no systematic and comprehensive studies of somatic mutations in muscle or bone exposed to space-like radiation and simulated microgravity simultaneously, and therefore the landscape and importance of such changes remains unknown. This gap in knowledge represents a significant barrier to ongoing and future studies of phenotypic variation and susceptibility to musculoskeletal disorders as well as the identification of therapeutic targets and development of innovative countermeasures to preserve astronaut health during extended missions and upon return to Earth.

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]]> Integrated Regulation of Bone and Muscle Metabolism by Simulated Microgravity http://nsbri.org/researches/integrated-regulation-of-bone-and-muscle-metabolism-by-simulated-microgravity/ Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:58:12 +0000 http://nsbri.org/researches/integrated-regulation-of-bone-and-muscle-metabolism-by-simulated-microgravity/ The post Integrated Regulation of Bone and Muscle Metabolism by Simulated Microgravity appeared first on NSBRI.

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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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