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 ...
Ping.
I wonder if there is an exercise program that could counteract this.
Could they create a micro-gravity environment? You know, the old spinning spaceship.
They just need to stimulate the spindle neurons to increase Proprioception.
They should talk to Hal from The Lumbar Yard. Soon as he's done with his swim.
Well, mines been bugging me for about 7 years after the “corrective” surgery so...................
Old? The next group to make pseudo-gravity by spinning a spaceship will be the first.
The use of a spinning wheel design to create gravity artificially should prevent this, shouldn’t it?
From what I’ve read, you’d need a pretty big spaceship in order to rotate it fast enough to generate artificial gravity.
“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....
Babylon 5 type EA ships.
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.
A LOT less material to use a cable to connect a cabin to a counterweight, thus a lot more feasible and cheaper.
I know...every time is see one in the movies I wonder about greasing the bearings. Its a pain the replace them on a motorcycle. I cannot imagine doing that in zero g.
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.
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!
“From what Ive read, youd need a pretty big spaceship in order to rotate it fast enough to generate artificial gravity.”
Size matters.
1km circumference.
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.