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Role of physiotherapy in astronaut training

Astronauts are a unique population of physically and mentally fit individuals who have to travel from gravity to microgravity and back to gravity. This force of gravity has a major influence on musculoskeletal, neuro vestibular, cardiovascular and pulmonary systems.

In a microgravity environment, because of reduced loading stimuli, there is increased bone resorption and no change in or possibly decreased bone formation, leading to bone mass loss at a rate of about ten times that of osteoporosis.

There are two types of space flight,

Short Space Flight:-

A flight of one to fourteen days is considered a Short flight.

Long Space Flight:-

More than two weeks is considered a long flight.

Physiotherapy plays a very important role in the entire journey starting from Stress relief before and during the flight, Post-flight support, and rehabilitation, and Counteractingin-flight symptoms, and also assisting the astronauts with their entire stay in the Space Station with the help of a carefully drafted exercise regime.



Physiological changes due to microgravity

  • Loss of muscle mass

  • Loss of bone density

  • Increase risk of neurodegenerative diseases

  • Increase intracranial pressure

  • Distribution of body fluids to the upper body

  • Diminish taste and smell

  • Reduce stroke volume

  • Decrease number of red blood cells

  • Increase risk of kidney stones

  • Loss of balance

  • Decrease immune system functioning

Physiotherapy management

Aims

  1. To improve muscle strength

  2. To improve balance and coordination

  3. To improve endurance

There are three main phases in physiotherapy management.

Pre-flight phase

Motor fitness training develops the endurance, strength, power, balance, agility, and flexibility to climb efficiently on steep and challenging terrain.

  • Core strengthening exercise

  • Squatting

  • Pushups

  • Sit-ups

  • Anti-gravity treadmill training

  • Underwater strengthening

  • Endurance training

  • Hypoxic management - Improve breathing economy and the ability

In-flight phase


When they are in space, all astronauts are required to exercise 2-5 hours per day six days per week in order to prevent muscle atrophy, bone mineral density, and cardiovascular losses.


The advanced resistive exercise device

Advanced resistive exercise device which resembles the prototype of a bow flex or a similarly at-home gym with bench weight resistance levels provided by two vacuum cylinders. The high load is needed because has to compensate for no body weight in zero gravity.


Treadmill exercises

In weightlessness at zero gravity, it moves running on a treadmill more effectively. The treadmill features a rotating belt with or without resistance. Electrical stimulation for muscles

Electrical muscle stimulation at zero gravity to prevent muscle atrophy and demineralization of bone.


Post-flight phase


Astronauts returning from challenging long-duration missions face one more challenge when they get back to earth: standing up and walking.

Upon returning to normal gravity, astronauts often suffer from balance problems that lead to dizziness and difficulty standing, walking, and turning corners.


Tilt table

Astronauts for space travel, they may get dizzy when they stand up. This procedure may retrain blood vessels to narrow and widen appropriately in response to changes in posture.


Adaptability training system


This concept help astronauts adapt quickly to a new gravity environment and overcome balance disturbances. This system consists of a treadmill mounted on a base that can be actively moved in different directions to stimulate balance disturbances.


Progressive exercise training


Step 1

Begin with isometric exercises to improve circulation and increase muscle strength in the atrophied muscles.


Step 2

Progress to the range of motion exercises that involve joint movements but do not use outside resistance.


Step 3

Use mild resistance such as small hand weights to begin rebuilding lost muscle mass.


Step 4

Add more resistance, moderately, in the form of heavier free weights or weight machines. Include more functional movements in the exercise program.


A specialized physiotherapy rehabilitation team needed to train certain conditions like strength training muscles, balance coordination, and cardiorespiratory conditions, etc.


References

https://www.scribd.com/document/288625670/Role-of-Physiotherapy-in-Astronaut-Trainning

https://www.practo.com/healthfeed/amp/physiotherapy-for-astronauts-in-zero-micro-gravitational-environments-39184/post

Yamali Sanduni

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