Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

[L]ong-duration space travel causes crippling back pain that can last for up to four YEARS
Daily Mail ^ | 10 January 2019 | Mark Prigg

Posted on 01/11/2019 2:36:39 PM PST by BenLurkin

Full Title: "Fresh blow for Mars missions as researchers find long-duration space travel causes crippling back pain that can last for up to four YEARS"

The changes in muscle composition are still present up to four years after long-duration spaceflight, according to the new research by Katelyn Burkhart, MS, of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and colleagues.

They write, 'Spaceflight-induced changes in paraspinal muscle morphology may contribute to back pain commonly reported in astronauts.'

The researchers analyzed computed tomography (CT) scans of the lumbar (lower) spine in 17 astronauts and cosmonauts who flew missions on the International Space Station.

Scans obtained before and after missions were analyzed to determine changes in the size and composition of the paraspinal muscles.

Average time in space was six months. Previous studies of astronauts have linked spaceflight to muscle atrophy, especially of the muscles that maintain posture and stability while upright on Earth in normal gravity.

Many astronauts experience low back pain during and immediately after space missions, and they appear to be at increased risk of spinal disc herniation.

The new study found that most at risk are the paraspinal muscles, which run up and down the spine and play a key role in spinal movement and posture.

Previous studies have found reduced paraspinal muscle mass after prolonged time in space, suggesting that muscle atrophy may occur without the resistance provided by gravity.

(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Health/Medicine; Science
KEYWORDS: aspirin; backpain; elonmusk; falcon9; falconheavy; ibuprofen; longduration; mard; mars; nasas; spacetravel; spacex
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-54 next last

1 posted on 01/11/2019 2:36:39 PM PST by BenLurkin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv; rktman

Ping.


2 posted on 01/11/2019 2:39:01 PM PST by Army Air Corps (Four Fried Chickens and a Coke)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

I wonder if there is an exercise program that could counteract this.


3 posted on 01/11/2019 2:42:35 PM PST by sphinx
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

Could they create a micro-gravity environment? You know, the old spinning spaceship.


4 posted on 01/11/2019 2:43:59 PM PST by Vermont Lt
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

They just need to stimulate the spindle neurons to increase Proprioception.


5 posted on 01/11/2019 2:44:01 PM PST by tired&retired (Blessings)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin; Gamecock; SaveFerris; PROCON
scans of the lumbar (lower) spine

They should talk to Hal from The Lumbar Yard. Soon as he's done with his swim.


6 posted on 01/11/2019 2:44:11 PM PST by Larry Lucido
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sphinx

Well, mines been bugging me for about 7 years after the “corrective” surgery so...................


7 posted on 01/11/2019 2:44:55 PM PST by rktman ( #My2ndAmend! ----- Enlisted in the Navy in '67 to protect folks rights to strip my rights. WTH?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Vermont Lt
Could they create a micro-gravity environment? You know, the old spinning spaceship.

Old? The next group to make pseudo-gravity by spinning a spaceship will be the first.

8 posted on 01/11/2019 2:45:02 PM PST by NorthMountain (... the right of the peopIe to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

The use of a spinning wheel design to create gravity artificially should prevent this, shouldn’t it?


9 posted on 01/11/2019 2:46:08 PM PST by GMMC0987
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

From what I’ve read, you’d need a pretty big spaceship in order to rotate it fast enough to generate artificial gravity.


10 posted on 01/11/2019 2:46:34 PM PST by P.O.E. (Pray for America)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

“suggesting that muscle atrophy may occur without the resistance provided by gravity.”

So... build the Pan Am space wheel that we saw in 2001 and fly it to Mars....


11 posted on 01/11/2019 2:46:41 PM PST by Pelham (Secure Voter ID. Mexico has it, because unlike us they take voting seriously)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Vermont Lt

Babylon 5 type EA ships.


12 posted on 01/11/2019 2:48:36 PM PST by wally_bert (We're low on dimes in fun city.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

This problem is easily solved.

The price/cost of lift continues to fall, thereby enabling bigger ships to be built in orbit.

Those bigger ships can use centrifugal force to simulate gravity. At precisely 1.0 Gs.

They can then be propelled out of orbit spinning on their axis like a bullet.

The concept has been widely understood for NEARLY a century.


13 posted on 01/11/2019 2:51:12 PM PST by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sphinx

14 posted on 01/11/2019 2:51:32 PM PST by fishtank (The denial of original sin is the root of liberalism.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: GMMC0987
spinning wheel design...

A LOT less material to use a cable to connect a cabin to a counterweight, thus a lot more feasible and cheaper.

15 posted on 01/11/2019 2:51:53 PM PST by C210N (Republicans sign check fronts; 'Rats sign check backs.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: NorthMountain

I know...every time is see one in the movies I wonder about greasing the bearings. It’s a pain the replace them on a motorcycle. I cannot imagine doing that in zero g.


16 posted on 01/11/2019 2:52:43 PM PST by Vermont Lt
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

Blindness is now not alone in the crippling effects of long duration space flight - manned flight to Mars is out. Moon Yes. Perhaps children born there would be less or not at all susceptible to these unfortunate effects.


17 posted on 01/11/2019 2:53:25 PM PST by PIF (They came for me and mine ... now it is your turn ...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

Cure long duration space flight muscle loss with
this one simple trick...apple cider vinegar.

Yes, apple cider vinegar taken daily during long duration
space flight will not only sweeten your breath, clean
your teeth and kill space roaches it will cure muscle loss!!

It’s good for cleaning dog nose prints from space craft windows too!


18 posted on 01/11/2019 2:53:41 PM PST by tet68 ( " We would not die in that man's company, that fears his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

19 posted on 01/11/2019 2:53:58 PM PST by fishtank (The denial of original sin is the root of liberalism.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: P.O.E.

“From what I’ve read, you’d need a pretty big spaceship in order to rotate it fast enough to generate artificial gravity.”

Size matters.

1km circumference.


20 posted on 01/11/2019 2:54:02 PM PST by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-54 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson