April 19, 2006

Michael Braukus/Dolores Beasley
Headquarters, Washington
(202) 358-1979/1753

Michael Mewhinney
Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.
(650) 604-3937

RELEASE: 06-187

NASA SCIENTISTS STUDY HEALTH BENEFITS OF EXERCISE ON ASTRONAUTS

NASA has teamed up with two universities to study ways to reduce the 
adverse effects of space travel has on astronauts' physical health.

This month scientists are conducting a pilot study at NASA's Ames 
Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif., on the 20-G centrifuge, a 
machine that creates artificial gravity forces by spinning and that 
can simulate up to 20 times the normal forces of gravity we 
experience on Earth.

"The 20-G Centrifuge is our largest facility certified for use by 
humans," said Jeff Smith, a manager in the Life Sciences Division at 
Ames. "Its capabilities make it a unique NASA resource and a very 
versatile research tool that is ideal for developing 
health-maintenance activities for astronauts."

Research conducted using the 20-G centrifuge helps scientists 
understand how astronauts cope with long-term exposure to the low 
gravity of space or other planets and readjust to Earth's gravity, 
when they return home. Scientists at NASA, the University of Kentucky 
in Lexington and Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., will 
study the effects of exercise and artificial gravity on 
cardiovascular responses and fluid shifts within the body.

"At Ames Research Center, the existing facilities we use to learn how 
space affects humans have a long history of productivity that 
includes work done from Mercury to space station and space shuttle 
programs," said Dr. Yvonne Cagle, NASA astronaut-scientist liaison, 
and project study scientist. "Researchers and collaborating 
investigators continue to produce a wealth of knowledge concerning 
astronaut and civilian health issues," she added.

The research is expected to help determine what combinations of 
exercise and exposure to increased gravity effectively counters the 
changes that occur during space travel.

"While in space, astronauts experience heart and blood vessel changes, 
decreased bone strength, loss of muscle mass, and shifts in fluids 
within their bodies," said Ames' exercise physiologist and study 
scientist, Fritz Moore. "This does not immediately harm the 
astronauts, but it may complicate longer space travel and make the 
return to Earth difficult."

Scientists will examine the effects of exercise on the test subjects 
while spinning on the centrifuge. Helping astronauts counter the 
changes to their bodies also may further the development of health 
benefits for the general public.

"The knowledge we gain here helps us understand everyday health issues 
such as high or low blood pressure." Moore said. "The changes that 
astronauts experience are very similar to those seen in people who 
are less active or frequently confined to bed rest, such as 
individuals in our rapidly growing senior population. It is very 
likely that space medicine and geriatric medicine will interact and 
help us understand the best ways to arrive home from space, as well 
as the best ways to grow old."

Additional research is needed to understand the health effects of 
transitioning between different gravitational environments. This type 
of research benefits current and future astronauts supporting the 
Vision for Space Exploration to return to the moon and continue on to 
Mars.

For more information about Ames centrifuge facilities, visit:

http://cgbr.arc.nasa.gov

For information about NASA and agency programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov

	
-end-